Ayoub El Kaabi did a Scott McTominay with a stunning overhead kick as Scotland's World Cup opponents, Morocco, opened the Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 victory over Comoros in Rabat. Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz had fired home 10 minutes after the break from 15 yards following a frustrating first half for the tournament hosts at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Ayoub El Kaabi did a Scott McTominay with a stunning overhead kick as Scotland's World Cup opponents, Morocco, opened the Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 victory over Comoros in Rabat.
The win over the Indian Ocean islanders in front of a crowd of 60,180 extends the Atlas Lions' world record run of consecutive victories to 19.
Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz had fired home 10 minutes after the break from 15 yards following a frustrating first half for the tournament hosts at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
And Olympiacos striker El Kaabi made sure of the three points as he rose to athletically power home a Anass Salah-Eddine cross after 74 minutes in a similar style to McTominay's famous strike in Scotland's World Cup-qualifying win over Denmark.
Diaz had won a 10th-minute penalty, but goalkeeper Yannick Pandor beat away Soufiane Rahimi's spot kick.
That was 11th-ranked Morocco's only attempt on target against the side ranked 108th in the world until Diaz struck to break the deadlock.
Standard Liege striker Rafiki Said was through on goal moments later with a chance to equalise, but Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou stopped the effort with his legs.
However, Pandor saved from Noussair Mazraoui and Jawad El Yamiq in quick succession before El Kaabi's stunning second and another fine stop from the goalkeeper denied Youssef En-Nesyri a third.
Mali and Zambia play the second game in Group A on Monday, with Walid Regragui's hosts next facing Mali on Boxing Day.
Category: General Sports
