Hosts Morocco kicked off their Africa Cup of Nations 2025 (AFCON 2025) campaign with a tense 2-0 victory against Comoros at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Despite challenging weather conditions and early scares, the Atlas Lions secured all three points in front of a crowd of 60,180, keeping their world record run of consecutive wins alive.
Morocco Miss Early Penalty but Break the Deadlock
The match began nervously for Morocco as Soufiane Rahimi missed a golden chance to open the scoring in the 11th minute. Brahim Diaz was fouled in the box by Iyad Mohamed, earning a penalty, but Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor made an impressive save, keeping his team in the game.
Comoros frustrated the hosts by defending deep and breaking up attacks. However, Morocco eventually found the breakthrough ten minutes into the second half. Brahim Diaz was left unmarked near the penalty spot and calmly slotted home Noussair Mazraoui’s low cross, sending the home fans into a deafening roar.
El Kaabi’s Spectacular Overhead Kick Secures Victory
The match intensified after Morocco’s opener, with Comoros forward Rafiki Said denied by Yassine Bounou and Mazraoui seeing another effort blocked by Pandor. Morocco sealed the victory late when substitute Ayoub El Kaabi scored a sensational overhead kick 15 minutes from time. The goal not only ensured a comfortable win but also showcased El Kaabi’s technical brilliance.
El Kaabi, who has scored 14 goals in 21 games for Olympiacos this season, is now a contender for goal of the tournament thanks to his spectacular finish.
Morocco Navigate Injuries and Player Absences
Morocco’s triumph came despite missing key players. Captain Achraf Hakimi was limited to a bench role due to an ankle injury sustained with Paris Saint-Germain in November. Centre-back Romain Saiss also suffered an early injury, putting added pressure on the Moroccan defense.
Despite these setbacks, Morocco extended their world record for consecutive victories to 19, highlighting their strength as Africa’s top-ranked team since the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where they reached the semi-finals – a historic achievement for the continent.
Bigger Challenges Ahead for the Atlas Lions
While Morocco avoided an upset, tougher tests lie ahead. The Atlas Lions face Mali in their next Group A match on Friday at 20:00 GMT. Other Group A fixtures include Zambia vs Mali, while Egypt and South Africa begin their campaigns in Group B.
Morocco’s coach Walid Regragui has emphasized the importance of winning the tournament at home, stating that “anything other than victory will be a failure.” The country has only reached the AFCON semi-finals once since 1976, in 2004, when Regragui was part of the squad that narrowly lost to Tunisia.
Morocco’s Growing Football Ambitions
Hosting AFCON 2025 is part of Morocco’s broader football ambitions, backed by significant investments in stadiums and infrastructure under King Mohammed VI. The nation previously hosted the last two Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and is set to host again in March next year.
Looking ahead, Morocco will co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, further cementing their position as a rising force in African and global football. For now, the focus remains on home glory in AFCON 2025, with fans hoping the Atlas Lions can deliver the country’s first men’s continental title since 1976.
Key Takeaways: Morocco vs Comoros
- Final Score: Morocco 2-0 Comoros
- Goal Scorers: Brahim Diaz (55’), Ayoub El Kaabi (75’)
- Missed Penalty: Soufiane Rahimi (11’)
- Notable Absences: Achraf Hakimi (bench), Romain Saiss (injured)
- Attendance: 60,180 at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium
- Next Match: Morocco vs Mali, Group A
Leave a Reply