Morocco kicked off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a comfortable 2–0 victory over minnows Comoros in the tournament’s opening match on Sunday in Rabat.
Second-half goals from Brahim Díaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi sealed all three points for the Atlas Lions in a rain-soaked encounter at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
The host nation dominated the first half but were left frustrated when Soufiane Rahimi saw his penalty saved, as the hosts struggled to convert their superiority into goals before the break.
The deadlock was finally broken 10 minutes into the second half when Real Madrid midfielder Díaz fired home from close range, sending the majority of the 60,180-strong crowd into raptures.
The match then opened up, with Comoros forward Rafiki Saïd denied by the legs of goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, while Noussair Mazraoui forced a fine save from Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor at the other end.
Substitute El Kaabi put the result beyond doubt with a spectacular overhead kick 15 minutes from time, ensuring Walid Regragui’s side lived up to pre-match expectations on a wet and cold night in the Moroccan capital.
Morocco will face Mali in their next group match on Friday. Mali begin their AFCON campaign against Zambia in Casablanca on Monday.
Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi watched the entire match from the bench, with Regragui opting to preserve the Paris Saint-Germain full-back, who has not featured since sustaining an ankle injury in early November.
