Morocco's forward #20 Ayoub El Kaabi celebrates his goal during 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 Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP)
Host nation Morocco kicked off their Africa Cup of Nations 2025 campaign on a winning note on Sunday night, defeating Comoros 2–0 in the tournament’s opening match in Rabat.
Second-half goals from Brahim Díaz and Ayoub El Kaabi sealed the victory for the Atlas Lions after a tense and frustrating opening 45 minutes at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Despite dominating early possession, Morocco failed to find the breakthrough in the first half. Their best chance came just 10 minutes into the game when Díaz was fouled inside the box, but Soufiane Rahimi’s penalty was brilliantly saved by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor, who kept his side in the contest.
The breakthrough finally arrived 10 minutes after the restart. With captain Achraf Hakimi rested on the bench, Noussair Mazraoui stepped up at right-back, delivering a low cross from the right that Díaz calmly finished from close range to give Morocco the lead.
Comoros briefly threatened an equaliser when Rafiki Said broke through on goal, but Morocco soon regained control. Mazraoui tested Pandor again before substitute Ayoub El Kaabi produced the moment of the night, a spectacular overhead kick from a left-wing cross by Anass Salah-Eddine to double the lead.
The win, achieved on a cold and wet night, extends Morocco’s world-record winning streak to 19 consecutive matches and strengthens their status as Africa’s highest-ranked team, currently sitting 11th in the FIFA rankings.
A crowd of 60,180 fans watched the opener, with Moroccan Crown Prince Moulay Hassan and FIFA president Gianni Infantino among the dignitaries in attendance. Hakimi, still recovering from an ankle injury, watched the entire game from the sidelines as coach Walid Regragui opted not to risk the Paris Saint-Germain star.
Morocco will now turn their attention to tougher Group A fixtures against Mali and Zambia, starting with Mali on Friday.
Elsewhere in the tournament, South Africa face Angola in Marrakesh, while Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah and chasing a first AFCON title since 2010, begin their campaign against Zimbabwe in Group B.
AFCON 2025 is historic as the first edition to start in one year and end in another, with the final scheduled for January 18 in Rabat.
Advertisement
