A magic goal, 60,000 euphoric fans in Rabat – hosts Morocco celebrate their 2-0 opening win against the Comoros at the Africa Cup of Nations in their own country.
Ayoub El Kaabi provided the highlight of the opening game in Rabat in the 74th minute: the Olympiakos striker made the decision and the final score 2-0 with a spectacular overhead kick.
With the magic goal, El Kaabi also calmed the nerves of the 60,000 Moroccan fans in the Stade Moulay Abdallah, who had to watch their team struggle for a long time against the Comoros, number 108 in the world rankings.
Soufiane Rahimi had missed the great chance to take the lead from the penalty spot after just ten minutes: Comoros keeper Yannick Pandor fended off Rahimi’s weakly taken penalty, which, however, should never have happened in the first place: winger Brahim Diaz looked for nothing other than the foot of his opponent Iyad Mohamed in the penalty area and then took off upon contact – but the Moroccans left the referee’s gift behind.
Just a few minutes later there was another dampener in the mood for the Moroccan fans: veteran Romain Saiss had to be substituted injured.
Morocco celebrates opening win and magic goal from El Kaabi
After his swallow, Diaz remained the most noticeable offensive man for the Moroccans, repeatedly causing danger in the penalty area – and ten minutes after the break also for the redemptive lead: after an assist from Noussair Mazraoui, the Real Madrid striker finished from eleven meters.
Substitute El Kaabi then delighted the home fans with his overhead kick, caught a somewhat imprecise cross into the box, took the ball straight out of the air while falling backwards and put it into the net.
The opening victory boosted Moroccan fans’ hopes of only the country’s second triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations. The co-host of the 2030 World Cup is one of the big favorites for the title at the home tournament.
Award for Hakimi as African Footballer of the Year
The Moroccans had to do without their captain Achraf Hakimi in the opening game. The PSG defender is still ailing after his ankle injury in the Champions League game against FC Bayern, but still played a key role in the start of the Africa Cup of Nations: Before the game, he received the award as Africa’s Footballer of the Year.