Atlas Lions of Morocco edged Comoros 2-0 in the opening Group A match of the 35th African Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Sunday at the Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
Morocco’s Soufiane Rahimi who was brought down in the 18-yard box of their opponents lost a penalty in the 9th minute of the game.
The penalty was saved by Comoros’ goal keeper, Yannick Pandor.
The hosts who lost their captain Romain Saiss to injury took control of the game with Jawad El Yamiq taking his place.
They dominated the game with 75 per cent possession as against Comoros’ 25 per cent.
Brahim Diaz opened scoring in the 55th minute through an assist from Noussair Mazraoui.
In spite of the efforts by Comoros to get an equaliser, the hosts sealed the victory through substitute El Kabbi’s goal in the 74th minute.
Morocco who are now leading Group A will take on their Malian counterparts on Friday, while Zambia will take on Comoros on Thursday.
On Monday, South Africa face Angola in Marrakech while Egypt, record seven-time African champions will take on Zimbabwe in Agadir in Group B.
Hosts Morocco are ranked 11th in the world, the highest-ranked African nation, while Comoros are ranked 108th.
The two sides have met four times previously, with Morocco winning three matches and one ending in a draw.
Morocco and Comoros have also clashed at the group stage of the 2021 edition in Cameroon.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 60,180 spectators watched the opening match of the tournament, including the Moroccan Crown Prince Moulay Hassan.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino was among those in attendance.(NAN)