Madrid Star Helps Morocco Secure Winning Start At AFCON

(Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Host nation Morocco got their Africa Cup of Nations campaign off to a flying start after defeating Comoros 2-0 in the opening game on Sunday night.

2025 Africa Cup of Nations

Result: Morocco 2-0 Comoros

Date: 21 December 2025

Venue: Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah

Reigning CAF Player of the Year Achraf Hakimi was only fit enough to start on the bench for the host nation, who were able to call upon Brahim Diaz, Noussair Mazraoui and Sofyan Amrabat.

The Atlas Lions almost got off to the perfect start after being awarded a penalty on six minutes for Iyad Mohamed’s foul on Diaz. Soufiane Rahimi took responsibility but saw his spot-kick saved by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.

Morocco were dealt a blow just before the 20-minute mark when an emotional Romain Saiss was forced off with an injury and replaced Jawad El Yamiq, which capped off a busy opening spell for the home side while Comoros had barely laid a glove on Yassine Bounou at the other end.

The rest of first half proved to be a frustrating affair for the host nation, who spent of their time in the opposition half without creating clear-cut openings as the likes of Diaz, Rahimi and Ismael Saibari were kept quiet by the Comoros defenders in the final third.

That all changed ten minutes into the second half when Mazraoui did well to pick out an un-marked Diaz who fired home with a first-time finish to put the Atlas Lions in the lead.

Comoros responded with a double change after the hour mark as Said Bakari and Akim Abdallah were introduced, while the hosts also freshened up their stall by throwing on Ayoub El Kaabi and Abde Ezzalzouli.

It was Morocco’s changes that paid off as El Kaabi doubled in the 74th minute with a superb bicycle kick that gave Pandor no chance after being picked out by Anass Salah-Eddine, seemingly ending any hopes of a Comoros comeback as they entered the closing stages.

Morocco were able to see out the closing stages as they start the campaign with maximum points as they look ahead to their clash against Mali, while Comoros will face lock horns with Zambia.

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