Results
| Team | 1st Half | 2nd Half | Goals | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morocco | 0 | 2 | 2 | Win |
| Comoros | 0 | 0 | 0 | Loss |
Morocco began the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on a positive note after edging Comoros on Sunday as the tournament got underway.
In front of a sold-out Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, the Atlas Lions cruised to a 2-0 win thanks to second-half goals from Brahim Diaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi.
The game was attended by several diginitaries including Morocco’s Crown Prince, Moulay Hassan, who was the guest of honour, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, among others.
Before kickoff, Morocco and PSG right back Achiraf Hakimi seized the opportunity to present the 2025 CAF Player of the Year accolade he won recently.
Morocco, as expected, were dominant from the start, having a lion’s share of ball possession but Comoros were quite organized out of possession to deny the hosts an early lead.
The Atlas Lions were awarded a penalty by referee Jean-Jacques Ngambo Ndala in the 11th minute when Diaz was fouled in the box.
Soufiane Rahimi took the resultant penalty but goalkeeper Yannick Pandor dived the right way to save the former’s effort.
Morocco were forced into an early change when captain Roman Ghanem Saiss got injured. He was replaced by Jawad El Yamiq and the armband was passed on to goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
The hosts kept piling pressure despite Comoros showing resilience in the opening exchanges.
Morocco had a penalty appeal, three minutes before the break, after what seemed to be a foul on Diaz but when referee Ndala was called onto the VAR monitor, he signalled for handball in the build-up and thus did not award the penalty. The first half ended with no breakthrough from either side.
Upon restart, Morocco started like a house on fire, this time increasing the tempo of play, which seemed to work the magic.
In the 48th minute, Neil El Aynaoui missed contact from close range while Sofyan Amrabat’s cross into the area was cleared.
The deadlock was eventually broken in the 55th minute with Diaz firing home thanks to Noussair Mazraoui’s lay-up.
A long pass from Amrabat was well controlled by Mazraoui who beat off his man before teeing up Diaz to score and send the fans into celebrations.
The hosts nearly doubled their advantage at the hour mark but Comoros players threw their bodies on the line to block and deny Ismael Saibari’s effort.
In the 64th minute, coach Hoalid Regragui made a double change for Morocco, introducing Abdessamad Ezzalzouli and Ayoub El Kaabi in place of Azz-Eddine Ounahi and Rahimi, respectively.
It took only ten minutes for El Kaabi to announce his arrival, scoring a beauty to double Morocco’s lead.
Morocco won possession high up the pitch and El Kaabi was involved in the build-up, playing with Anass Salaj Eddine, who dinked the ball into the area for the gangly forward to score with an overhead kick.
Despite efforts from Comoros in the closing stages, the Atlas Lions were able to protect their lead and begin the tournament with maximum points.
Morocco will return to action on Friday, 26th December 2025 against Mali, while Comoros will take on Zambia on the same day.
Morocco XI: Yassine Bounou (G.K), Noussair Mazraoui, Sofyan Amrabat, Nayef Aguerd, Ghanem Saiss (Captain), Azz-Eddine Ounahi, Soufiane Rahimi, Brahim Abdelkader Diaz, Ismael Saibari, Neil El Aynaoui, Anass Salah Eddine
Substitutes: Monir El Kajoui (G.K), Elmedhi Al Harrar (G.K), Achraf Hakimi, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Oussama Targhalline, Mohamed Chibi, Ilias Akhomach, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Jawad El Yamiq, Youssef En Nesyri, Ayoub El Kaabi, Talbi Chemsdine, Bilal El Khannouss, Adam Masina, Ait Boudlal Abdelhamid
Head coach: Walid Regragui
Comoros XI: Yannick Marc Ahmed Pandor (G.K), Ismael Boura, Kenan Toibibou, Ahmed Soilihi, Iyad Inomse M’vourani Mohamed, Faiz Selamani, Yannis Kari, Youssouf M’ Changama (Captain), Rafiki Said Ahamada, Ben Djaloud Salmata Youssouf, Youssouf Zaydou
Substitutes: Ben Salime Boina (G.K), Adel Anzimati Aboudou (G.K), Abdel Akim Abdallah, Aboubacar Ali, Kassim M’Ddahoma, Aymeric Ahmed, Remy Vita, Myziane Maolida, Zaid Amir, El-Fardou Ben Mohamed, Said Riad Yves Lebert Bakari, Idris Mohamed, Raouf Mroivili, Rayan Lutin
Head coach: Stefano Cusin