AFCON 2025: Patient Morocco see off Comoros in opening game

Second half strikes from Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi gave Morocco a dream start to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in a 2-0 victory over Comoros Island, www.aclsports.com reports.

In the tournament’s opening game played in front of over 60,000 spectators at the Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium, Rabat, the hosts were made to wait till the second half before they could breach a rather obstinate Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.

Not even first half penalty could beat Pandor, who guessed rightly to his right to deny Soufiane Rahimi from twelve yards but all his heroics did not matter in the end as Walid Regragui’s Atlas Lions got full marks.

The win sets the tone for what is expected to be an exciting AFCON tournament in Morocco where twenty-four African nations do battle for the continental crown, with the hosts one of the odds-on favourites to win it.

Three matches follow on Monday but Nigeria’s Super Eagles will wait till Tuesday before playing their first group C game against Tanzania in Fez, Northern Morocco.

More to follow….