By Amofokhai Williams
Hosts Morocco kicked off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a confident 2–0 win against Comoros on Sunday night, setting a positive tone for their quest to win the continent’s premier football tournament on home soil.
The Group A fixture at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat ultimately lived up to expectations, with Morocco prevailing through second-half goals from Brahim Díaz and Ayoub El Kaabi.
The result extends the Atlas Lions’ remarkable run of form, having gone on a record-breaking winning streak that now reaches 19 matches for the national side.
Despite the comfortable scoreline, the match was far from straightforward for the tournament favourites early on. Morocco dominated possession in the first half and enjoyed numerous attacking opportunities, including an early penalty chance inside the first 10 minutes.
However, Soufiane Rahimi’s spot-kick was brilliantly saved by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor, keeping the island nation’s hopes alive and maintaining a goalless interval.
The breakthrough eventually came 10 minutes after the break when Díaz capitalised on sustained pressure. Following a persistent build-up from the Moroccan midfield, the forward found space inside the box and calmly slotted home to give the hosts the lead, igniting celebrations among the home support.
Morocco continued to probe for a second goal, and their persistence paid off in the 74th minute through substitute Ayoub El Kaabi, who produced a stunning overhead kick that left Pandor with little chance. The spectacular strike not only doubled Morocco’s advantage but also provided a highlight moment of the tournament’s opening evening.
Comoros, featuring in just their second AFCON appearance, defended resolutely for large parts of the match and were buoyed by Pandor’s performance, which included several key saves. Their resistance ultimately faltered against Morocco’s superior firepower and tactical discipline, but the island nation’s spirited display nonetheless earned admiration from spectators and analysts alike.
The victory sends a strong message from the hosts, who now turn their attention to tougher Group A matches against Mali and Zambia later in the week.
Morocco’s coach will also take encouragement from his team’s ability to deliver under pressure, although the missed first-half opportunities and moments of defensive vulnerability are likely to be addressed ahead of future fixtures.
With the opening game behind them, Morocco will hope to build momentum as AFCON 2025 unfolds across several Moroccan cities, and national expectations continue to rise for a triumphant home campaign.
