Ayoub El Kaabi's Stunning Goal Caps The Atlas Lions' Win Against Comoros in Afcon Opening Match.

Host nation Morocco shook off a nervy beginning to defeat their island opponents in the tournament's opening game on the weekend, thanks to Brahim Díaz and super-sub El Kaabi in the latter period.

This constituted a hardly emphatic showing, though, from the heavily tipped hosts, who are ranked 97 places higher than the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and had to work tirelessly for the points in wet conditions at Rabat's national stadium.

Nervy Start and Spurned Chances

Morocco missed 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.

It arrived after full-back Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before slipping it square for Díaz to sidefoot into the net.

Every first match is never easy but we delivered in the second period,” commented manager Walid Regragui.

El Kaabi's Piece of Magic

Any lingering nerves was subsequently extinguished by a piece of sheer genius from Ayoub El Kaabi. Only ten minutes following coming on, the striker met a ball into the box with a stunning overhead kick in the 74th minute, making it two and sealing the result.

Before that, the Moroccan team might have taken ahead in the 11th minute after a spot-kick was given for a challenge on Brahim Díaz. However, Rahimi's penalty was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Pandor.

The Visitors' Defiant Stand and Late Chance

The underdogs stoutly defended against their more illustrious opponents for long periods before the hosts' individual talent in the end told.

Shot-stopper Yannick Pandor pulled off several other good stops to limit the scoreline as the match progressed, although Comoros created a clear opportunity for an equaliser shortly following the first goal, with Saïd shooting directly into keeper Yassine Bounou.

Injury Concern for Hosts

The three points was partially marred by an apparent injury to the skipper, Saïss, who limped off after the first half apparently in tears.

The centre-back had only made his comeback to the international setup recently after a year’s layoff due to a serious ankle operation.

This result continues the team's historic run of successive wins to 19, beating the old best of 15 set by the Spanish national team between 2008 and 2009.