Morocco opened the Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 victory over Comoros on a raucous night at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi were on the scoresheet on a trickier evening than the Atlas Eagles had hoped for, but the hosts got the job done in front of their home fans. Walid Regragui’s side are the bookies’ favourites for this year’s tournament, and their star-studded squad showed their attacking prowess in moments here. Real Madrid’s Diaz was at the heart of everything good from a Moroccan perspective, with Ismael Saibari dangerous down the left.
It was Diaz who opened the scoring in the second half after a frustrating first half for the home side, who had 70 per cent of the possession in the opening 45. The hosts had a penalty inside ten minutes when Diaz was felled by Yannis Kari in the box. Soufiane Rahimi stepped up to the spot, but was denied by Yannick Pandor. Diaz, the attacking midfielder, latched onto a Noussair Mazraoui cross to slot home past the impressive Pandor on 55 minutes. It was two 16 minutes from time, as substitute El Kaabi produced a goal of the tournament contender on day one.
His overhead kick from Anass Salah-Eddine’s floated delivery arrowed into the corner to seal the three points for Morocco, who put down a statement in their opener. Mali and Zambia will provide sterner tests after Christmas, but it is a strong start for the pre-tournament favourites.
Morocco vs Comoros latest news
- GOAL! El Kaabi scores overhead kick
- GOOD SAVE! Bono stops from Said
- GOAL! Diaz opens scoring
- CLOSE! El Aynaoui hits side netting
- PENALTY SAVE! Pandor denies Rahimi
FT: Morocco 2-0 Comoros
21:03 , Oli GentThere we have it. A comfortable, expected win on opening day for the hosts.
And what a goal to end with too.
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Morocco 2-0 Comoros
20:59 , Oli Gent90 mins: Four added minutes.
Morocco 2-0 Comoros
20:54 , Oli Gent86 mins: Ezzalzouli fizzes in a nice ball which En-Nesyri throws himself at, but it’s well cleared.
Morocco 2-0 Comoros
20:53 , Oli Gent83 mins: El Khannouss is also on for Saibari.
Morocco 2-0 Comoros
20:51 , Oli Gent82 mins: Pandor forced into a smart stop to deny En-Nesyri.
Morocco 2-0 Comoros
20:48 , Oli Gent80 mins: El Yamiq is booked for clearing out M’Changama.
There are two subs for Comoros, with M’Dahoma and Bourhane entering the fray in place of Toibibou and Youssouf.
Morocco 2-0 Comoros
20:45 , Oli Gent77 mins: Youssef En-Nesyri is on for Diaz.
Goal! Morocco 2-0 Comoros
20:43 , Oli Gent74 mins: There is the second, and it’s a wonderstrike! El Kaabi has it, and it’s an overhead kick to double the advantage from Salah-Eddine’s cross. What a hit.
Morocco 1-0 Comoros
20:41 , Oli Gent72 mins: Superb challenge from Aguerd as Said thinks he’s in behind the home defence. The striker streaks clear, but the former West Ham defender is across to slide the ball away from danger.
Morocco 1-0 Comoros
20:38 , Oli Gent70 mins: Comoros take the long ball route as Pandor searches out Said direct, but it just outruns the striker and is collected by Bono.
Morocco 1-0 Comoros
20:33 , Oli Gent66 mins: The first subs for Morocco, as Ezzalouli and El Kaabi are on for Rahimi and Ounahi.
Morocco 1-0 Comoros
20:33 , Oli Gent64 mins: Great save! Pandor pulls off not one but two great saves as the hosts go close once more. First from Mazraoui’s drilled effort, and the second from Saidari.
Morocco 1-0 Comoros
20:30 , Oli Gent62 mins: Close! A great chance for two as Ounahi has a scuffed shot that ricochets, and it won’t fall for Diaz either.
Morocco 1-0 Comoros
20:28 , Oli Gent60 mins: Morocco are hungry for more... but they’ve left holes at the back, and Rafiki Said is through here... he’s one on one with Bono, but he’s denied!
Goal! Morocco 1-0 Comoros
20:25 , Oli Gent55 mins: And there it is! The Atlas Lions are ahead, and it’s Brahim Diaz who opens the scoring. It has been coming, and it’s the Real Madrid man who gets it. Amrabat picks out Mazraoui, and Diaz darts in to slot home.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
20:21 , Oli Gent52 mins: Morocco have stepped up the intensity in this second half. They’re throwing more men forward, still looking for that elusive opener.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
20:17 , Oli Gent49 mins: Close! El Aynaoui is on the end of a superb cross, but he hits the side netting! The closest Morocco have come since the missed penalty.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
20:16 , Oli Gent48 mins: The hosts had 70% possession in the first half. You would presume it will be a similar number in this second 45. What can they produce?
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
20:14 , Oli Gent46 mins: We’re back underway.
HT: Morocco 0-0 Comoros
19:55 , Oli GentThere’s the interval, and Comoros have survived the first 45. A strong defensive showing from them so far. What will Morocco throw at them in the second period?
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
19:51 , Oli Gent45+4 mins: Diaz is shown a yellow as he looks to capitalise on a loose ball at the back from Soilihi, and he clatters Pandor with a late challenge.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
19:50 , Oli Gent45+2 mins: Five added minutes.
Great play from Said to take the pressure off the visitors and get them up the pitch with a driving run and winning the free kick.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
19:48 , Oli Gent45 mins: No penalty! Nothing doing, agree the officials, and Comoros get away with it.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
19:47 , Oli Gent43 mins: Penalty check! The referee is having a look at the monitor as Diaz breaks into the box under challenge from Youssouf, and it looks as though the ball has struck the defender’s hand!
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
19:44 , Oli Gent40 mins: The last five minutes of a relatively uneventful first half. Since that penalty, Morocco haven’t been able to really get going in the final third., Can they dig something out before the interval?
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
19:39 , Oli Gent36 mins: 10 to go till half time. If Comoros could get to the break level, that would be a massive hurdle that they’ve overcome. The first card of the game is brandished in the way of Kari, who chops down Saidari.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
19:36 , Oli Gent33 mins: Comoros are doing well to withstand the hosts’ pressure. They are flying into challenges, willing to put bodies on the line in order to keep Morocco at bay.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
19:33 , Oli Gent30 mins: Ounahi’s fizzed ball in is nodded clear by Soilihi.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
19:31 , Oli Gent29 mins: A chance for Ounahi to deliver from a promising free kick position as Saibari is chopped down. The midfielder fires it straight into the two-man wall, and the hosts have a corner.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
19:29 , Oli Gent26 mins: A lovely ball swung in by Saibari, but El Aynaoui can’t reach it at the far post! Morocco are getting closer...
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
19:24 , Oli Gent23 mins: Again more sustained Moroccan pressure. No real sightings of goal, however, but they are piecing together some decent passages of play. They just need to find that killer ball in the final third that will carve Comoros open.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
19:21 , Oli Gent19 mins: Saiss is in near tears as he’s forced off with injury. He jarred something earlier, and he’s replaced by El Yamiq.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
19:19 , Oli Gent17 mins: A huge moment there as Pandor steps up immediately for his side. Comoros are back under pressure again though. Morocco won’t let up...
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
19:14 , Oli Gent12 mins: Saved! What a stop from Pandor to deny Rahimi from 12 yards! The deadlock remains unbroken!
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
19:13 , Oli Gent10 mins: Penalty, Morocco. The Atlas Eagles get a spot-kick inside 10 minutes, as Diaz shows Mohamed tricky feet, and is felled tight to the byline. It seems like a harsh penalty, which Comoros are arguing, but there’s no changing the referee’s mind. VAR are having a look.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
19:11 , Oli Gent8 mins: Drilled cross in by Mazraoui, but Diaz can’t bring that under his spell. There’s a good energy in the stadium, which the hosts are trying to harness as they search for an opener.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
19:08 , Oli Gent6 mins: All Morocco in these opening exchanges. Comoros need to try and calm themselves down in the cauldron, giving the ball away far too easily.
Morocco 0-0 Comoros
19:07 , Oli Gent3 mins: A physical start as Ounahi goes flying under challenge from Kari.
Kick off!
19:03 , Oli Gent1 min: We are underway in the pouring rain in Rabat.
The players are out!
18:55 , Oli GentTime for the anthems. Kick off in five.
The show continues!
18:48 , Oli GentDavido and US rapper French Montana are up next as kick-off approaches.
The lights are on!
18:36 , Oli GentJaylann, Lartiste and Beninese singer-Songwriter Angelique Kidjo take to the stage to a rousing ovation!
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Opening ceremony coming up!
18:30 , Oli GentIt’s that time!
The big news!
18:21 , Oli GentAchraf Hakimi is on the bench this evening in a shock move. He’s been sidelined for weeks with injury. Will he feature at some point this evening?
Comoros lineup
18:10 , Oli GentComoros XI: Pandor; Kari, Soilhi, Toibibou, Boura; Z. Youssouf, B. Youssouf, Mohamed, Selemani; Ahamada, M’Changama
Subs: Amir, Mohamed, Bakari, Ahmed, Bourhane, M’Dahoma, Maolida, Lutin, Ben, Abdallah, Abdallah, Vita, Anzimati, Morivili, Boina
Morocco lineup
18:05 , Oli GentMorocco XI: Bono; Salah-Eddine, Aguerd, Saiss, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Diaz; El Aynaoui, Rahimi, Saibari
Subs: Talbi, Seghir, El Yamiq, En-Nesyri, Chibi, Hakimi, Munir, Boudial, Al Harrar, El Kaabi, Targhalline, Akhomach, Masina, El Khannous, Ezzalzouli
Team news on the way!
17:50 , Oli Gent10 minutes till we learn the two team lineups...
Aston Villa vs Man Utd live!
17:40 , Oli GentThere is Premier League action this evening also, with Manchester United travelling to Aston Villa.
Also tonight!
17:30 , Oli GentThere is another huge scrap happening on the continent, as Lawrence Okolie takes on Ebenezer Tetteh in Nigeria.
A huge weekend for Africa
17:20 , Oli GentThis weekend is massive for African sport.
AFCON begins this evening, but from a boxing perspective, there was a big event last night.
Dan Azeez took on Craig Richards in a first-ever Matchroom Boxing show in Ghana.
Opening ceremony to come!
17:10 , Oli GentBefore this encounter, you can expect the opening ceremony, which should be some spectacle.
Morocco vs Comoros odds
17:00 , Oli GentMorocco to win: 2/17
Comoros to win: 20/1
Draw: 6/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Head to head
16:50 , Oli GentMorocco wins: 3
Comoros wins: 0
Draws: 1
Standard Sport prediction
16:40 , Oli GentMorocco will be in a party mood as they kick off the tournament, and Comoros are unlikely to play the role of poopers. Strength across the board, even without the injured Hakimi, the top-ranked nation in Africa should have little trouble starting with a win.
Morocco to win, 3-0.
Comoros team news
16:30 , Oli GentComoros will be resting much of their attacking hopes on Myziane Maolida and the experience of Youssouf M'Changama.
Morocco team news
16:20 , Oli GentMorocco will be looking to Youssef En-Nesyri to kick off the tournament on the right foot. The Fenerbahce striker has 25 goals in 85 caps for his country, and will be supported by the impressive Ismael Saibari.
Star player Achraf Hakimi remains sidelined with an injury, but there is every expectation that he will be able to represent Morocco later in the tournament.
How to watch
16:10 , Oli GentTV channel: Every match of the tournament will be broadcast across Channel 4’s network.
The game will be broadcast on E4, with coverage starting at 6.30pm GMT.
Live stream: UK viewers will be able to stream games on the Channel 4 Sport YouTube or Channel 4’s official website and app.
Hello and welcome!
16:00 , Oli Gent... to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Morocco’s opening Africa Cup of Nations game with Comoros.
It’s the first game of the tournament, and the hosts and bookies’ favourites are in action.
This should be a cracker. Stay tuned for all the updates, with kick off at 7pm GMT.
