Morocco launched their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Morocco 2025 campaign with a composed 2–0 victory over Comoros on Sunday night, overcoming stubborn resistance to claim all three points in front of a packed Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Second-half strikes from Brahim Díaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi ultimately separated the sides in a contest that demanded patience and discipline from the hosts, who were made to work far harder than the scoreline suggested against an organised and fearless Comorian team intent on frustrating the tournament favourites.
From the opening whistle, Morocco asserted territorial dominance, enjoying the bulk of possession and circulating the ball with confidence as they sought to impose their rhythm.
Walid Regragui’s side pushed Comoros deep into their own half, probing patiently through the flanks and midfield channels, yet genuine openings proved difficult to come by in the early stages as the visitors defended with structure and intensity.
Comoros signalled early that they would not be overawed by the occasion.
Inside the first five minutes, Selemani capitalised on a loose touch inside the Moroccan penalty area, creating a moment of alarm that served as a reminder of the fine margins that often define opening matches at major tournaments.
Morocco appeared to have found an early breakthrough when Brahim Díaz burst into the penalty area and was brought down, prompting the referee to point to the spot.
However, Yannick Pandor produced a superb save to deny Soufiane Rahimi, guessing correctly and diving low to keep the score level.
The missed penalty briefly unsettled the Atlas Lions, injecting belief into the Comorian ranks and drawing anxious murmurs from the home crowd.
Undeterred, Morocco continued to apply pressure. Set pieces and crosses became a recurring theme, with Ismaël Saibari heading narrowly wide and Azzedine Ounahi testing Pandor with a powerful effort from distance.
Despite their control of possession, the hosts struggled to turn dominance into clear-cut chances against a disciplined Comorian back line that threw bodies into challenges and closed spaces intelligently.
The first half brought further disruption for Morocco when captain Romain Saïss was forced off after a heavy collision, depriving the side of leadership and experience at the back.
Even so, Regragui’s men maintained their composure, but as the teams headed into the interval goalless, frustration was evident among players and supporters alike.
The breakthrough finally arrived ten minutes after the restart, and it came through a moment of quality befitting the hosts’ ambitions.
A flowing move down the left flank ended with Noussair Mazraoui drilling a low cross into the penalty area.
Brahim Díaz timed his run perfectly, arriving unmarked to guide a calm and precise finish beyond Pandor, sparking jubilant celebrations inside the stadium.
The goal transformed the rhythm of the contest. With the pressure eased, Morocco played with greater freedom and confidence, moving the ball more quickly and stretching a Comorian side that continued to battle but now found gaps beginning to appear.
The decisive moment followed in the 73rd minute, courtesy of a moment of individual brilliance from Ayoub El Kaabi.
Introduced to add attacking edge, the forward produced a spectacular acrobatic overhead kick to meet a delivery from Salah-Eddine, leaving Pandor rooted to the spot and effectively sealing the points for the hosts.
From there, Morocco displayed maturity and game management, slowing the tempo, keeping possession and limiting Comoros to half-chances as the clock ticked down.
It was not a flamboyant or free-scoring performance, but it was efficient and controlled — the type of result that underlines why Morocco are widely regarded as one of the tournament favourites.
The victory sends Morocco to the top of Group A, ahead of the meeting between Mali and Zambia, and provides a solid platform for the hosts as they look to build momentum in the competition. For Comoros, defeat came with encouragement, their organisation and resilience offering positives as they continue their search for a landmark breakthrough on the continental stage.
Reflecting on the match, Comoros head coach Stefano Cusin praised his team’s effort despite the outcome. “We were solid defensively,” he said.
“But in this kind of game, when opportunity knocks, you have to take it. The team showed a good face, and Comorians can be proud of their country. We can’t say we played badly because we conceded two goals. Had Rafiki scored to make it 1–1, the scenario could have been different. Morocco are a great team; we have to accept defeat against such a side.”
Morocco coach Walid Regragui admitted his side had faced early difficulties before finding solutions. “We have been preparing for this game for a year and a half,” he said.
“We put a lot of pressure on ourselves. We had a bad start, with the missed penalty and the injury-forced exit of Romain Saïss. At half-time, I wasn’t very satisfied with the team, and we spoke to put certain adjustments in place, which the players applied very quickly.”
