Hosts Morocco began their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 campaign with a 2-0 victory over Comoros in the tournament opener on Sunday. Second-half goals from Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi secured the win for the Atlas Lions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Morocco, Africa’s top-ranked team and 11th in the FIFA rankings, extended their world-record winning streak to 19 matches despite a frustrating first half. Soufiane Rahimi missed a penalty early on, with Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor making a diving save to keep the visitors in the game.
The breakthrough came 10 minutes after the interval when Diaz tapped home from close range following a squared pass from Noussair Mazraoui, who started at right-back in place of the injured Achraf Hakimi.
Later, substitute El Kaabi sealed the win with a spectacular overhead kick from a cross by Anass Salah-Eddine, thrilling the home crowd of 60,180.
Morocco’s next match in Group A will be against Mali on Friday, following Mali’s clash with Zambia on Monday. Elsewhere, South Africa face Angola in Marrakesh, while Mohamed Salah’s Egypt begin their title chase against Zimbabwe in Agadir in Group B.
The 2025 edition of the AFCON is unique, spanning two calendar years, with the final scheduled for January 18 in Rabat.
Despite early setbacks, Morocco showed their class, signaling strong intentions for a deep run in the tournament.
