AFCON2025 : Morocco down Comoros in thrilling opener

A flashy start for the 2025 AFCON hosts Morocco 2-0 win. 

Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi got the goals for the Atlas Lions. 

Morocco now go top of group A that has Zambia, Mali and Comoros.

The 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations officially got underway on Sunday in an epic grand opening ceremony and showdown witnessed in Rabat.

Hosts, Morocco playing in front of the home crowd at a fully packed Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, kicked off the campaign with a 2-0 win over Comoros.

Second half goals from Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi saw Morocco cruise past the The Coelacanths of Comoros.

Dominant in possession right from the first whistle, the Atlas Lions pressure was rewarded with a penalty in the 10th penalty after Diaz was brought down in the forbidden area.

Belgium-based goalkeeper Ahmed Pandor of Comoros stood tall in the posts, denying Soufiane Rahimi a glorious moment to open the scoring from the spot.

Few minutes later, Morocco head coach Walid Regragui was forced to make any early change, withdrawing veteran defender Ghanem Saiss who couldn’t continue on the night.

The breakthrough for the hosts came after restart, Diaz Brahim finally breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute, courtesy of an assist from Manchester United’s Mazraoui.

Substitute Ayoub El Kaabi put the game beyond reach in the 74th minute, with an acrobatic strike that will probably contend for the goal of the tournament.

With the victory, Morocco will be hope to build on that in pursuit of a second crown  they haven’t attained since 1976 while on the other hand Comoros regroup to make amends in next outings.