🔗 Share this article El Kaabi's Stunning Strike Wraps Up The Atlas Lions' Triumph Over the Coelacanths in Africa Cup of Nations First Game. The the Moroccan side overcame a anxious beginning to overcome Comoros in the tournament's opening game on Sunday, after strikes by Brahim Díaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the latter period. It was a hardly emphatic display, however, from the highly fancied Moroccans, who sit 97 places above the small Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and had to grind out for the three points in rainy conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium. Nervy Start and Missed Chances Morocco failed to convert an early spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at the interval even with dominating the ball, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute. The goal came when Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before slipping it across for Díaz to calmly pass home. Every first match is invariably tough but we came good in the second half,” said Morocco coach Regragui. El Kaabi's Moment of Magic Any lingering nerves was then eased by a piece of pure individual brilliance from Ayoub El Kaabi. Just ten minutes following his introduction, the striker met a ball into the box with a acrobatic overhead kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the result. Earlier in the match, the hosts might have taken the lead in the 11th minute after a penalty was awarded for a challenge on Brahim Díaz. Yet, Soufiane Rahimi effort was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor. The Visitors' Resistance and Late Chance Comoros stoutly defended against Morocco for long periods before the hosts' greater quality in the end told. Goalkeeper Yannick Pandor made several other fine saves to limit the scoreline as the match wore on, even though his team did have a chance for an equalizer shortly following the first goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing directly into keeper Yassine Bounou. Fitness Concern for Morocco The victory was partially marred by an apparent injury to the skipper, Saïss, who limped off in the 18th minute in some distress. The defender had just returned to the national side last month after a lengthy layoff due to a serious ankle operation. The win continues the team's historic run of successive victories to nineteen, surpassing the old record of 15 set by the Spanish national team between 2008 and 2009.