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Host nation the Moroccan side shook off a nervy beginning to overcome Comoros in the tournament's inaugural fixture on the weekend, thanks to the Real Madrid attacker and substitute 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 FIFA rankings and had to work tirelessly for the three points in rainy conditions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.

Nervy Beginning and Spurned Opportunities

Morocco missed an early penalty and were locked at 0-0 at the interval despite dominating the ball, finally breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.

The goal came when full-back Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before slipping it across for Brahim Díaz to sidefoot into the net.

Every first match is never easy but we delivered in the second period,” commented Morocco coach Walid Regragui.

El Kaabi's Piece of Brilliance

The tension was subsequently calmed by a moment of pure individual brilliance from Ayoub El Kaabi. Just ten minutes following his introduction, the striker met a ball into the box with a stunning overhead kick in the 74th minute, making it two and sealing the result.

Before that, the hosts might have taken ahead in the 11th minute when a spot-kick was awarded for a challenge on Brahim Díaz. Yet, Soufiane Rahimi penalty was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.

Comoros Defiant Stand and Late Opportunity

The underdogs stoutly defended against their more illustrious opponents at bay until the Moroccans' individual talent eventually told.

Goalkeeper Yannick Pandor pulled off several other fine saves to keep down the score as the match wore on, even though Comoros did have a clear opportunity for an equalizer shortly following the first goal, with Rafiki Saïd shooting directly into keeper Bounou.

Injury Worry for Morocco

The victory was partially overshadowed by an apparent injury to Morocco's captain, Saïss, who limped off after the 18th minute apparently in tears.

This centre-back had only returned to the national side last month after a year’s absence caused by ankle surgery.

This result continues Morocco's historic run of consecutive wins to nineteen, beating the previous record of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.