 campaign with a controlled 2–0 victory over Comoros.){kind=link}
Hosts Morocco began its CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a controlled 2–0 victory over Comoros, in front of a capacity crowd at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Sunday night.
Morocco dominated possession from the outset, circulating the ball with confidence and pinning Comoros deep inside their own half. Yet clear chances were scarce early on, with the visitors defending compactly and contesting every duel as the first half ended 0-0.
The breakthrough finally arrived ten minutes after the restart. A sweeping move down the left ended with Noussair Mazraoui drilling a low cross into the box.
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Real Madrid forward Brahim Díaz arrived with perfect timing to guide a composed finish beyond the goalkeeper Pandor.
With the pressure lifted, Morocco played with greater freedom. Comoros continued to battle, but gaps began to appear. The decisive moment came in the 73rd minute when Ayoub El Kaabi, introduced to add cutting edge, produced a moment of brilliance.
He met a delivery from Salah-Eddine with an acrobatic overhead kick that left the goalkeeper rooted and sealed the points.
From there, the hosts managed the game with maturity, slowing the tempo and limiting Comoros to half-chances as the clock ticked down.
The hosts were forced to remain patient against a resilient Comorian side determined to spoil the party as the match finished 2-0.
It was not a flamboyant display, but it was an efficient one — exactly the kind of performance expected from a tournament favourite.
The victory sends Morocco top of Group A ahead of the meeting between Mali and Zambia, while Comoros leave Rabat encouraged by their organisation but still searching for a breakthrough moment on the continental stage.