AFCON 2025: Morocco Fire Warning Shot at Bafana Bafana and All Title Contenders

The Atlas Lions opened their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a commanding 2-0 win over Comoros at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Sunday night, sending an early message to South Africa and other title contenders.

Hosts Morocco, led by Walid Regragui, now sit atop Group A and will look to seal their place in the Round of 16 when they face Mali at the same venue on December 26. Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana begin their AFCON journey against Angola on Monday, December 22, at the Grand Stade de Marrakech, aiming to match Morocco’s strong start.

For Comoros, it was a disappointing opening as they conceded two second-half goals, leaving coach Stefano Cusin with work to do ahead of their next match against Zambia at the Mohamed V Stadium.

Morocco dominated from the outset, with Brahim Diaz pulling the strings in midfield and constantly troubling the Comoros defence. The hosts earned an early penalty in the 10th minute after Diaz was fouled in the box, but Soufiane Rahimi’s spot-kick was brilliantly saved by Yannick Pandor.

Diaz continued to be a menace and went down in the box again in the 42nd minute, but after a VAR review, referee Jean-Jacques Ndala waved away appeals for a second penalty. The first half ended goalless despite Morocco’s relentless pressure.

The breakthrough finally came 10 minutes after the restart. Diaz capped his impressive display with a close-range finish, converting Noussair Mazraoui’s assist to make it 1-0 and send the home crowd into raptures.

Morocco sealed the win in the 74th minute through substitute Ayoub El Kaabi, who produced a stunning acrobatic finish from Anass Salah-Eddine’s cross. The Olympiacos striker’s goal was a contender for “Goal of the Tournament” and ensured the Atlas Lions claimed a deserved victory.

Final Score:
Morocco (0) 2 (Diaz 55’, El Kaabi 74’)
Comoros 0

Morocco XI: Bono; Salah-Eddine, Aguerd, Saiss (El Yamiq 19’), Mazraoui; Ounahi (Ezzalzouli 64’), Amrabat, Diaz (En Nesyri 76’); El Aynaoui, Rahimi (El Kaabi 65’), Saibari (Masina 76’)

Comoros XI: Pandor; Kari (Abdallah 67’), Soilhi, Toibibou (M’Dahoma 79’), Boura; Z. Youssouf (Bourhane 79’), B. Youssouf (Bakari 67’), Mohamed, Selemani; Said, M’Changama (Maolida 82’)