In a rain-soaked Rabat, the Moroccan national team, carrying the colossal weight of the nation’s expectation, began its quest for a second Africa Cup of Nations title with a 2-0 victory over comoros on December 21.
The win, secured through second -half goals from Brahim Diaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi, extended Morocco’s world-record winning streak to 19 marches .
The opening game at the packed Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium was far from the fluid exhibition. Despite dominating possession (69.7%), Morocco struggled to break down a disciplined Comoros side ranked 108th in the world. An early opportunity to take the lead was squandered when Soufiane Rahimi’s 11th -minute penalty was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor .
The tension was compounded by an injury to Captain Romain Saiss, who left the pitch in tears within the first 20minutes, casting a shadow over the Moroccan camp. The deadlock was finally broken in the 55th minute when Brahim Diaz calmly side-footed home. The relief was sealed in spectacular fashion in the 74th minute by substitute Ayoub El Kaabi who scored with a stunning bicycle kick to ensure the host started their campaign with three points.
Their encounters have primarily occurred in Continental competitions. Prior to this AFCON opener, they met on the group stage of the 2022 AFCON, where Morocco won 1-0 . Just weeks before the 2025 tournament, they also faced off in the FIFA Arab Cup, with Morocco securing a 3-0 victory. This record underscores the gap in pedigree between the Continental giants and the island nation, which was making only its second -evee AFCON appearance.
The opening win places Morocco at the top of Group A. The sterner tests will come in quick succession, with matches against Mali (December 26) and Zambia (December 29) . Each performance will be scrutinized not just for the result, but for the conviction it displays.
For Comoros, the defeat was a display of grit. Coach Stefano Cousin expressed pride in his young team’s battling performance. Their tournament continues with matches against Zambia and Mali.
