MOROCCO launched their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations title challenge with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Comoros on Sunday night, but the tournament favorites were made to work far harder than expected against opponents who defended with discipline and threatened on the counter.
Second-half goals from Brahim Díaz and Ayoub El Kaabi ultimately settled a contest that exposed both Morocco’s overwhelming territorial dominance and their occasional vulnerability to well-organized opposition. While the result delivers three crucial points and top spot in Group A, the performance raised questions about cutting edge and composure that Walid Regragui will need to address as tougher tests loom.
Playing before a capacity crowd at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium – still buzzing from a spectacular opening ceremony showcasing Morocco’s rich cultural heritage – the hosts controlled possession from the opening whistle but struggled to convert territorial superiority into clear-cut chances against a Comorian side content to sit deep and absorb pressure.
Morocco’s evening began poorly. Inside five minutes, Selemani capitalised on sloppy play in the Moroccan box, serving early notice that Comoros would not simply roll over. Worse followed when Brahim Díaz won a penalty, only for Soufiane Rahimi to see his spot-kick saved by Yannick Pandor — a miss that briefly unsettled the hosts and emboldened the underdogs.
The Atlas Lions continued to probe through set pieces and wide areas, with Ismaël Saibari heading narrowly wide and Azzedine Ounahi testing Pandor from distance, but clear openings remained elusive. Comoros defended their box with numbers and contested every challenge, frustrating a Moroccan side struggling to find rhythm.
The loss of captain Romain Saïss to injury before halftime compounded Morocco’s difficulties, forcing Regragui into an early tactical reshuffle. Despite enjoying overwhelming possession, the hosts reached the interval goalless — a testament to Comorian organization and Moroccan profligacy in equal measure.
The breakthrough arrived ten minutes after restart, and it was worth the wait. A sweeping move down the left flank ended with Noussair Mazraoui drilling a dangerous low cross into the area, where Díaz arrived with perfect timing to guide a composed finish beyond Pandor. The goal lifted both the crowd and Morocco’s performance level, injecting freedom into their play.
With the pressure valve released, gaps began appearing in the Comorian defensive structure. The decisive moment arrived in the 73rd minute when substitute Ayoub El Kaabi produced a moment of individual brilliance – meeting Salah-Eddine’s delivery with a spectacular overhead kick that flew past the helpless Pandor and effectively ended the contest.
From there, Morocco managed proceedings with maturity, controlling tempo and denying Comoros meaningful possession as the clock wound down.
Morocco’s performance showcased both their strengths and vulnerabilities. They dominated possession comprehensively, pinning Comoros inside their own half for extended periods and demonstrating the technical quality expected of tournament favorites. Yet for all their territorial control, Morocco created surprisingly few clear chances in the opening hour — a concern that better-organized defenses will exploit.
The missed penalty highlighted composure issues under pressure, while Saïss’s injury disrupted defensive stability. Regragui’s halftime adjustments proved effective, with Morocco playing with greater directness and urgency after the break, but questions remain about their ability to unlock deep-lying defenses without resorting to individual brilliance.
Comoros, meanwhile, can take encouragement from their disciplined display. Stefano Cusin’s side defended with organization and discipline, limiting Morocco to speculative efforts for long periods and creating moments of danger on the break. “We were solid defensively,” Cusin noted afterward. “Had Rafiki scored to make it 1-1, the scenario could have been different.”
Morocco’s coach acknowledged his side’s slow start. “We had a bad start with the missed penalty and Saïss’s injury,” Regragui admitted. “At halftime, I wasn’t satisfied with the team. We spoke about adjustments, which the players applied quickly.”
Those adjustments proved decisive, but Regragui knows Morocco must raise their level significantly if they are to fulfill continental expectations. The Atlas Lions possess the talent to challenge for the trophy, but Sunday’s performance revealed rough edges that require smoothing before knockout football arrives.
Early advantage secured
Morocco sit top of Group A with three points, establishing early control of their campaign ahead of the meeting between Mali and Zambia. It was not the flamboyant display many anticipated, but tournament football rarely rewards style over substance in opening fixtures. Morocco delivered efficiency when it mattered — exactly what title contenders must do.
Comoros leave Rabat with dignity intact but still searching for their first AFCON 2025 points. They demonstrated they belong on this stage, but must now find a cutting edge to match their defensive organization when they face Mali on Thursday.
For Morocco, the victory provides momentum, but the manner of it serves as a warning: dominance means nothing without clinical finishing. The Atlas Lions have announced their arrival at AFCON 2025 — now they must prove they can maintain the standards demanded of champions.
Match Result: Morocco 2 (Díaz 55′, El Kaabi 73′) Comoros 0
Attendance: Capacity crowd, Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
Group A Standings: Morocco 3 pts, Mali v Zambia to follow
