Hosts Morocco opened their Africa Cup of Nations 2025 campaign with a 2-0 victory over Comoros on Sunday, courtesy of second-half goals from Brahim Diaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi.
The first half proved frustrating for the Atlas Lions as Soufiane Rahimi had a penalty saved. Diaz eventually broke the deadlock 10 minutes after the interval at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, firing home from inside the area.
El Kaabi, fresh off the bench, then sealed the win with a spectacular overhead kick, giving Morocco a strong start ahead of tougher Group A fixtures against Mali and Zambia.
The result extended Morocco’s world-record winning streak to 19 consecutive matches, reinforcing their status as Africa’s top-ranked team and 11th in the FIFA world rankings.
The match drew a crowd of 60,180, with Crown Prince Moulay Hassan and FIFA President Gianni Infantino among the spectators. Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi remained on the bench, with coach Walid Regragui preserving the Paris Saint-Germain full-back after an ankle injury sustained in November.
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Comoros had an early scare in the 10th minute when Diaz was fouled in the box. Rahimi’s penalty, however, was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Yannick Pandor, allowing the visitors to hold their ground through the first half. Morocco also lost veteran centre-back Romain Saiss to injury early in the match.
The breakthrough came in the 55th minute when Noussair Mazraoui, starting at right-back in place of Hakimi, set up Diaz for the opener. Comoros threatened briefly through Rafiki Said, but the visitors were unable to convert.
The match was put beyond doubt when El Kaabi, playing for Olympiakos, connected with a cross from Anass Salah-Eddine to deliver a stunning bicycle kick for Morocco’s second goal.
Morocco will next face Mali on Friday, following Mali’s Group A opener against Zambia in Casablanca on Monday.
Elsewhere, South Africa take on Angola in Marrakesh on Monday, while Egypt, seeking their first AFCON title since 2010, will kick off against Zimbabwe in Agadir.
This edition of the tournament is the first to straddle two calendar years, with the final scheduled for January 18 in Rabat.
