(From L) Morocco's defender #26 Anass Salah-Eddine, Morocco's defender #18 Jawad El Yamiq, Morocco's defender #03 Noussair Mazraoui, Morocco's forward #19 Youssef En-Nesyri, Morocco's defender #05 Nayef Aguerd and Morocco's midfielder #24 Neil El Aynaoui celebrate after winning the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) group A football match between Morocco and Comoros at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on December 21, 2025. (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP)
AFCON 2025 hosts Morocco began their campaign with a hard fought victory over Comoros, edging the tournament opener in rainy Rabat.
The Atlas Lions made a nervous start at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium and missed a clear chance to take an early lead when Soufiane Rahimi’s 11th minute penalty was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor, who blocked the effort with his left knee after Iyad Mohamed fouled Brahim Diaz in the box.
Comoros sat deep and frustrated the hosts for long spells before Morocco finally broke through 10 minutes into the second half.
Diaz was left unmarked near the penalty spot and swept home Noussair Mazraoui’s low cross to the delight of the 60,180 fans in attendance.
The goal sparked the game into life, with Comoros forward Rafiki Said denied by the legs of Yassine Bounou, while Pandor produced another fine save to keep out a strong effort from Mazraoui.
Substitute Ayoub El Kaabi put the result beyond doubt with a spectacular overhead kick 15 minutes from time, ensuring Walid Regragui’s side delivered victory in the curtain raiser.
Morocco achieved the win despite being without captain Achraf Hakimi, who was restricted to the bench after suffering an ankle injury while playing for Paris St Germain in early November. Centre back Romain Saiss was also forced off injured early in the match.
The three points extended Morocco’s world record run of consecutive victories to 19, although a tougher test awaits against Mali on Friday at 20:00 GMT.
Earlier, Morocco’s Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan greeted the players on the pitch, posed for photographs and performed a ceremonial kick off before play began in heavy rain.
Morocco have been Africa’s top ranked side since the 2022 Fifa World Cup, where they became the first African team to reach the semi finals. The hosts are targeting a first Africa Cup of Nations title since 1976, with Regragui having said that “anything other than victory will be a failure”.
AFCON 2025 continues on Monday with three matches, as Zambia face West African opposition in Group A, while Egypt and South Africa begin their campaigns in Group B.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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