AFCON: Morocco beat Comoros 2–0 to open title defence

Hosts Morocco began their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2–0 victory over Comoros on Sunday, as goals from Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi secured a controlled but hard-fought win in the tournament opener.

After dominating possession in the first half, Morocco finally broke the deadlock in the 55th minute when Diaz finished from close range following a cross from Noussair Mazraoui.

Substitute El Kaabi sealed the result 20 minutes later with a spectacular overhead kick, converting a lofted ball from Anass Salah-Eddine beyond Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.

In a match reported by ESPN, Morocco had earlier missed the chance to go ahead when Soufiane Rahimi saw his first-half penalty saved by Pandor, who denied the forward with his knees after a VAR review confirmed the spot kick.

The Atlas Lions enjoyed 66 percent possession and largely restricted Comoros to counterattacks, though frustration had begun to build before Diaz’s opener eased nerves inside the Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium.

The capacity crowd of 68,700 welcomed Prince Moulay Hassan before kick-off, while captain Achraf Hakimi was presented with the CAF African Footballer of the Year award he won last month.

Hakimi was left out of the starting line-up as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury sustained while playing for Paris Saint-Germain, with Mazraoui starting at right-back.

The Manchester United defender was influential as Morocco focused their attacks down the flanks.

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