Morocco off to winning start at AFCON
by KickOff Reporter · KickOffMorocco started the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2-0 victory over Comoros in Group A on Sunday evening.
The host nation started star defender Achraf Hakim on the bench but featured Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz from the onset.
Soufiane Rahimi got a chance to put the Atlas Lions ahead after ten minutes from the penalty spot after a foul on Diaz, but goalkeeper Yannick Pandor pulled off the save.
More problems arrived for the North Africans six minutes later, with Jawad El Yamiq coming on as a first-half substitute in place of the injured Romain Saiss.
Played on a wet Rabat surface, it didn’t deter either outfit who were keen to hit the ground running and get their campaign up and running.
However, the Atlas Lions made the breakthrough ten minutes into the second period when Diaz tucked in a low cross from inside the box.
Morocco were in mean mood and searched for more goals later on, but met a resilient Pandor.
The Atlas Lions refreshed their starting line-up after 65 minutes and introduced Ayoub El Kaabi for Rahimi before Abde Ezzalzouli filled in for Azzedine Ounahi.
El Kaabi proved decisive six minutes later and doubled their lead when he played quick one-two around the area, got into space and applied a superb finish with the overhead kick.
The Atlas Lions were well in control with minutes remaining to full-time and secured an opening day victory at the AFCON.