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Host nation the Moroccan side shook off a nervy start to overcome Comoros in the tournament's opening game on the weekend, after strikes by Brahim Díaz and super-sub Ayoub El Kaabi in the latter period.

This constituted a hardly emphatic performance, however, from the strongly favored Moroccans, who are ranked 97 places higher than the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and had to grind out for the victory in wet conditions at the national stadium.

Tense Beginning and Spurned Opportunities

Morocco failed to convert an early spot-kick and were goalless at the interval even with controlling possession, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 11th minute of the second half.

It arrived after Noussair Mazraoui did well to prevent the ball from going out before laying it across for Brahim Díaz to sidefoot home.

“The first match is invariably tough but we came good in the second period,” said Morocco coach Walid Regragui.

The Substitute's Piece of Brilliance

Any lingering nerves was then extinguished by a moment of pure individual brilliance from Ayoub El Kaabi. Only ten minutes following coming on, the forward met a cross with a acrobatic overhead kick in the 74th minute, making it two and ensuring the win.

Before that, the Moroccan team might have taken the lead in the 11th minute when a spot-kick was awarded for a foul on Díaz. However, Soufiane Rahimi effort was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.

Comoros Resistance and Second-Half Chance

Comoros comfortably held Morocco at bay until the Moroccans' superior firepower eventually made the difference.

Shot-stopper Pandor pulled off several further good stops to limit the score as the match progressed, although his team created a clear opportunity for an equaliser shortly after Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing directly into Morocco goalkeeper Bounou.

Fitness Concern for Hosts

The victory was somewhat marred by an apparent injury to Morocco's skipper, Romain Saïss, who limped off after the 18th minute apparently in tears.

This defender had just returned to the national side recently after a year’s layoff caused by a serious ankle operation.

The win extends the team's record-breaking run of successive victories to nineteen, beating the old record of 15 set by the Spanish national team between 2008 and 2009.