Morocco began their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2–0 victory over Comoros on a rainy night at Rabat’s newly opened Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, highlighted by a spectacular overhead kick from Ayoub El Kaabi.
Despite the weather dampening celebrations outside the stadium, El Kaabi’s acrobatic goal lit up the evening for fans who had traveled from Rabat, Casablanca, and beyond. The strike sealed Morocco’s dominance and secured all three points in their Group Stage opener.
“Dima Maghrib (Go Morocco),” one supporter shouted, while another described the goal as “magnificent” and unforgettable, especially after braving the rain to attend the match.
Africanews correspondent Karim Baldé reported that El Kaabi’s finish sent the crowd into celebration and confirmed a strong start for captain Romain Saiss and his teammates.
Speaking after the match, Saiss acknowledged that there was room for improvement despite the win. “Not everything was perfect, but it’s the first match,” he said. “We’ll analyse, recover, and focus on the next game against Mali. We’re going to grow stronger.”
Comoros put up a resilient fight in the first half, largely thanks to goalkeeper Yannick Pandor, who made five key saves to keep his side in contention. Although disappointed by the result, Pandor said the team gave everything and hopes the performance will help them later in the tournament.
As Morocco hosts AFCON 2025, expectations are high. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has described the tournament as set to be historic, praising the opening ceremony and the facilities in Rabat.
Former Moroccan international and football analyst AbdelAziz Bineej echoed that optimism, saying the country is fully prepared to host a memorable competition. With Morocco entering the tournament as Africa’s highest-ranked team, he believes the hosts must now handle the pressure and prove themselves on the pitch.
With the opening match complete, AFCON 2025 is officially underway. Morocco have taken an early step toward their title ambitions, but the road to the final on 17 January remains a demanding one.
