US EditionMorocco Wins AFCON Opener over Comoros, Fans and Royalty Applaud
Morocco dominated with 70% possession and 16 shots, securing a 2-0 win over Comoros as El Kaabi scored an acrobatic bicycle kick to seal the match.
- On Sunday in Rabat, hosts Morocco opened the Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 win over Comoros as Ayoub El Kaabi's acrobatic bicycle kick sealed the victory.
- Brahim Diaz opened the scoring with a close-range finish from Noussair Mazraoui, giving Morocco the lead during their 19 match winning streak as tournament hosts.
- Morocco dominated the match with 70% possession and outshot Comoros 16 to four, despite Soufiane Rahimi’s penalty save by Yannick Pandor and Romain Saiss leaving injured; Walid Regragui said, 'The opening game is always difficult but we came good in the second half'.
- The win places Morocco atop Group A and Morocco next face Mali on Friday before wrapping up group play against Zambia on Dec. 29.
- Following an executive meeting in Rabat, the Confederation of African Football announced AFCON will move to a four-year cycle, with organizers citing club expansion pushing it into the Christmas–New Year window.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Morocco wins AFCON opener over Comoros, fans and royalty applaud
A spectacular bicycle kick earned royal approval for Ayoub El Kaabi as host Morocco opened the 35th Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 win over Comoros on Sunday. Home fans including Moroccan Crown Prince Moulay Hassan, who greeted the players before kickoff, had endured a frustrating game as island nation Comoros, ranked 108th in the world, stubbornly held out against one of the tournament favorites. Story by Caroline Baum.
At the Africa Cup, Morocco is one of the title favorites. But the host of his role does not really do justice at the start against the Comoros. It takes a lot of effort and a dream goal for the start.
The Africa Cup is running! At the start, host Morocco won against the outsider of the Comoros. A spectacular fall retreat was the focus – a PSG star was watching.
The Greek Olympiac player sentenced the game played in Rabat and closed the victory of the host ensemble. It was a fantastic pirouette, which even received the approval of the crown prince, Moulay El-Hassan.
Measured relief and ambition found on the Moroccan side, and pride and lucidity among the Comorians, the opening match of CAN 2025 showed the two teams the path that remains to be taken to go as high as possible.
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