AFCON 2025: Morocco Beat Comoros 2-0 in Tournament Opener

Second-half goals from Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi powered hosts Morocco to a 2-0 victory over Comoros as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicked off on Sunday.

Morocco endured a frustrating first half at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, with Soufiane Rahimi missing an early penalty after his spot-kick was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor. However, Diaz broke the deadlock 10 minutes after the restart, finishing from close range to put the Atlas Lions ahead.

Substitute El Kaabi sealed the win with a spectacular overhead kick, ensuring a comfortable start to the tournament for the hosts on a wet and chilly night.

The victory puts Morocco in a strong position ahead of tougher Group A fixtures against Mali and Zambia, while also extending their world-record winning streak to 19 consecutive matches. Morocco are currently Africa’s highest-ranked team, sitting 11th in the FIFA world rankings.

The opening match was played before a crowd of 60,180, with Moroccan Crown Prince Moulay Hassan and FIFA president Gianni Infantino among the dignitaries in attendance. Crown Prince Moulay Hassan appeared on the pitch prior to kick-off.

Captain Achraf Hakimi remained an unused substitute, with coach Walid Regragui opting to rest the Paris Saint-Germain full-back, who has not featured since picking up an ankle injury in early November.

Morocco were handed an early opportunity when Diaz was fouled in the box by Iyad Mohamed in the 10th minute, but Rahimi’s penalty was kept out by Pandor as Comoros resisted for much of the first half.

Despite losing veteran defender Romain Saiss to injury early on, Morocco eventually found a breakthrough in the 55th minute. With Hakimi on the bench, Noussair Mazraoui started at right-back and provided the assist, squaring the ball for Real Madrid midfielder Diaz to score.

Comoros, ranked 108th in the world, threatened briefly when Rafiki Said was denied in a one-on-one situation, while Mazraoui later forced another save from Pandor at the other end.

El Kaabi, who plays for Greek side Olympiakos, then produced the highlight of the night, connecting with Anass Salah-Eddine’s cross from the left to score an acrobatic bicycle kick and wrap up the win.

Morocco will face Mali on Friday in their next Group A match, while Mali open their campaign against Zambia in Casablanca on Monday.

Also on Monday, South Africa take on Angola in Marrakesh, before Egypt — record seven-time African champions led by Mohamed Salah — begin their Group B campaign against Zimbabwe in Agadir.

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is the first edition to begin in one year and conclude in the next, with the final scheduled for January 18 in Rabat.

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