Hosts Morocco seal AFCON opener on stellar goal

"RABAT, Morocco -- Brahim Diaz's opener and a stunning Ayoub El Kaabi overhead kick saw Africa Cup of Nations hosts Morocco defeat Comoros 2-0 in the tournament opener on Sunday, with the competition favourites living up to their billing despite not enjoying the walkover that some had anticipated. Soufiane Rahimi had his first-half penalty saved before Diaz, who had been the top scorer during the qualifying campaign, finished from close range in the 55th minute following a cross from Noussair Mazraoui to help the Atlas Lions finally subdue the stubborn minnows."

"20 minutes later, substitute El Kaabi added a second, pirouetting in front of goal to send a lofted ball forward by Anass Salah-Eddine to sent an overhead kick beyond the excellent Yannick Pandor in the Comoran goal to make sure of victory. Dominant throughout -- Morocco registered 66 percent possession and largely limited their opponents to opportunities on the counterattack -- frustration had begun to creep in for the hosts before Diaz settled some nerves with the opener early in the second half."

"The atmosphere had been bubbling with expectation ahead of kickoff, with the capacity crowd in attendance at the 68,700 Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium reserving a hero's welcome for both Prince Moulay Hassan -- the heir to the throne -- who greeted the players before kickoff, and captain Achraf Hakimi, who was presented with the CAF African Footballer of the Year award he won last month. Hakimi was omitted from the starting lineup by head coach Walid Regragui as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury sustained in Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League match against Bayern Munich on Nov. 4, with Mazraoui starting at right-back in his stead."

Morocco beat Comoros 2-0 in the AFCON opener in Rabat, with Brahim Diaz scoring in the 55th minute and Ayoub El Kaabi adding an overhead-kick 20 minutes later. Soufiane Rahimi had a first-half penalty saved. Diaz finished from close range after a Noussair Mazraoui cross. El Kaabi converted an Anass Salah-Eddine loft with a pirouetting overhead kick that beat keeper Yannick Pandor. Morocco dominated possession (66 percent) and largely confined Comoros to counterattacks. The 68,700 crowd welcomed Prince Moulay Hassan and captain Achraf Hakimi, who missed the start as he recovers from an ankle injury, with Mazraoui starting at right-back.

Read at ESPN.com