Morocco made a confident start to their home Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign, beating Comoros 2–0 in front of nearly 60,000 fans in a rain-soaked Rabat. It was a night that tested patience and belief, but the Atlas Lions ultimately delivered the result their supporters craved.

The hosts dominated proceedings from the first whistle, controlling close to 80% of possession and pinning Comoros deep inside their own half. An early missed penalty briefly threatened to shift the mood inside the stadium, yet Morocco stayed calm, probing relentlessly despite the stubborn resistance of the visitors.

The breakthrough finally arrived shortly after the restart. Brahim Diaz broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, injecting fresh energy into the contest and igniting the home crowd. From that moment on, the outcome felt inevitable, even if the scoreline remained tight.

Substitute Ayoub El Kaabi then provided the defining moment of the evening, sealing victory with a spectacular overhead kick that underlined Morocco’s attacking quality and confidence. The closing stages were played entirely on the hosts’ terms, although Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor produced a series of impressive saves to prevent a heavier defeat.

2025 Africa Cup of Nations

Morocco - Comoros 2:0 (0:0)
Goals: Diaz Br., 55 (1:0); El Kaabi, 74 (2:0)

Morocco: Bounou; Aguerd; Salah-Eddine; Mazraoui; Amrabat S.; Saiss (El Yamiq, 19); Ounahi A. (Ezzalzouli, 64); Diaz Br. (En Nesyri, 76); Saibari (El Khannouss, 76); El Aynaoui; Rahimi S. (El Kaabi, 65)
Substitution: El Yamiq (from 19); Ezzalzouli (from 64); El Kaabi (from 65); Masina (from 76); El Khannouss (from 76); En Nesyri (from 76)
Bench: Munir; Al Harrar; Hakimi; Chibi; Ait Boudlal; Targhalline; Akhomach; Ben Seghir; Talbi
Yellow Cards: Diaz Br. 45; El Yamiq 78; Amrabat S. 90

Comoros: Pandor; Boura I.; Toibibou (M'Dahoma, 79); Soilihi; Selemani; Kari Y. (Abdallah, 67); Youssouf B. (Bakari S., 67); Mohamed I.; M'Changama Y. (Maolida, 82); Saïd R.; Youssouf Z. (Bourhane Y., 79)
Substitution: Abdallah (from 67); Bakari S. (from 67); M'Dahoma (from 79); Bourhane Y. (from 79); Maolida (from 82)
Bench: Ben Boina; Vita R.; Mroivili; Ahmed A.; Abdallah A.
Yellow Cards: Kari Y. 36