Host nation Morocco began their quest for a long-awaited Africa Cup of Nations title with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Comoros in the tournament's opening match on Sunday night. Second-half goals from Brahim Díaz and Ayoub El Kaabi were enough to see off the island nation, but not before the Atlas Lions were made to sweat by their determined opponents at a rain-swept Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
The match, played before a crowd of over 60,000 including FIFA President Gianni Infantino, began with the hosts struggling to break down a compact Comoros defence. Despite dominating possession, Morocco's early efforts were fraught with tension, culminating in a missed penalty in the first half when Soufiane Rahimi's spot-kick was saved.
Second-Half Strikes Secure Victory
The breakthrough finally came ten minutes after the restart. A persistent Noussair Mazraoui delivered a low cross for Real Madrid's Brahim Díaz to fire home from close range, visibly easing the pressure on the home side. Comoros, ranked 97 places below Morocco, briefly threatened an equaliser, but their best chance was shot straight at goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Substitute Ayoub El Kaabi then sealed the victory in the 74th minute with a spectacular overhead kick, a stunning finish that put the result beyond doubt.
The win extends Morocco's world-record winning streak to 19 consecutive matches. Coach Walid Regragui acknowledged the difficulty of the opening game, noting the immense expectation on his squad. "The opening game is always difficult for the host nation due to all the expectation," Regragui stated. "The 2-0 scoreline is well deserved...the objective was not to produce our best possible performance in the first match."
The Kenyan Connection
For Kenyan football fans, the tournament offers a glimpse of what could be, as the nation prepares to co-host the 2027 AFCON. While the Harambee Stars are not competing in this edition, the opening match serves as a benchmark for the level of competition and organisation Kenya will soon welcome. The government has confirmed that the KES 1.6 billion hosting fee for the upcoming 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) has been settled, a crucial step in preparing for the continent's premier football events.
Morocco, who made history as the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final in 2022, are under significant pressure to lift the AFCON trophy for the first time since 1976. This solid, if unspectacular, start provides a foundation as they navigate a competitive Group A which also includes Mali and Zambia.
Looking ahead, Morocco will face Mali on Friday, December 26th, while Comoros will look to bounce back against Zambia on the same day. The Coelacanths, making only their second AFCON appearance after a memorable debut in 2021 where they reached the Round of 16, proved they are capable of frustrating the continent's giants.
