Hosts Morocco seal AFCON opener vs. Comoros on stellar goal
Written by Abidoye Babatunde Blackcoin on 21 — 12
A sensational overkick head from Ayoub El Kaabi helped hosts Morocco beat Comoros 2-0 in the opening game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament – the fourth edition in a row to see the host nation start off with a win.
The Complexe Sportif Moulay Abdellah in Rabat was the center of attention as Morocco began their AFCON 2025 campaign with determination. Building on their recent Arab Cup victory, coach Walid Regragui’s squad showcased their technical superiority throughout the match.
From the very first whistle, Morocco exerted complete control over the match. With Brahim Díaz dazzling as the creative powerhouse, the hosts unleashed a relentless high press that kept Comoros on the back foot and forced a series of mistakes in their build-up. Although the score remained level for the initial minutes thanks to the heroic efforts of the Comorian goalkeeper, Morocco’s dominance was undeniable. Even without the star power of Achraf Hakimi due to injury, the team displayed incredible depth through the dazzling runs of Abde Ezzalzouli and the sheer strength of Youssef En-Nesyri.
After a tense first half that ended in a frustrating stalemate amidst a downpour, Morocco’s relentless drive finally bore fruit. Brahim Díaz, the shining star from Real Madrid now donning the ‘Atlas Lions’ crest, broke the deadlock in the second half with a breathtaking solo run that sent the crowd into a frenzy. But the true highlight of the evening came in the dying moments of the match. Ayoub El Kaabi, fresh off the bench, delivered a jaw-dropping bicycle kick following a precise assist from Salah-Eddine that ignited wild celebrations in the stands and sealed the deal for the hosts. This spectacular goal not only secured the first three points in Group A but also sent a strong signal to the competition.
With this impressive victory, Morocco has put their opening-day jitters behind them, proving that despite challenges, they possess the grit and talent needed to chase the title on home soil. The excitement is just beginning!
FULL-TIME 🇲🇦🇰🇲
First day. First match. First win for Morocco. 🤩#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | @tecnomobile pic.twitter.com/RlRPY3Yf6E
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) December 21, 2025
