Hakimi Watches as Morocco Open AFCON With Composed Win Over Comoros
Morocco launched their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a controlled 2-0 victory over Comoros in Rabat, easing early nerves despite Achraf Hakimi remaining on the bench for the hosts’ opening night.
Goals from Brahim Díaz and Ayoub El Kaabi settled the contest at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, allowing Walid Regragui’s side to start the 2025 tournament with three points after a first half that demanded patience.
The breakthrough arrived shortly after the interval when Díaz finished calmly from close range in the 55th minute, converting a low delivery from Noussair Mazraoui. El Kaabi sealed the result late on with a spectacular overhead kick, following up after sustained Moroccan pressure finally wore Comoros down.
The result mattered beyond the scoreline. Morocco entered the tournament as hosts and one of the clear favourites, yet did so without their most recognisable name in Hakimi, who has been sidelined for seven weeks following a serious ankle injury suffered with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. Regragui opted for caution, prioritising the fullback’s long-term availability over an early risk.
A lively crowd filled the stadium from kick-off, urging Morocco forward as they dominated possession and territory from the outset. Comoros sat deep, compact and disciplined, forcing the Atlas Lions to circulate the ball patiently through midfield while searching for width from their fullbacks.
Morocco created chances but were briefly stalled when Soufiane Rahimi saw his first-half penalty saved, a moment that threatened to complicate the evening. The miss only heightened the tension, with Comoros growing in confidence before the break as they resisted wave after wave of pressure.
The second half brought sharper movement and quicker combinations. Mazraoui, starting at right-back in place of Hakimi, grew into the game and played a decisive role in the opener, timing his run perfectly before squaring for Díaz. The goal lifted the tempo and stretched Comoros, who were increasingly forced into last-ditch defending.
Morocco continued to press for a second, with chances falling to Rahimi and El Kaabi as the hosts pushed higher and committed more bodies forward. Tactical adjustments brought fresher legs and sustained momentum, keeping Comoros pinned inside their own half.
Late drama arrived 16 minutes from time when El Kaabi produced a moment of individual brilliance, acrobatically turning home Anass Salah-Eddine’s cross with an overhead kick that brought the stadium to its feet and removed any lingering doubt.
The win places Morocco in a strong early position in Group A ahead of their next fixture against Mali on December 26, before concluding the group stage against Zambia three days later. Hakimi remains a central figure in the tournament narrative, and while his return is being carefully managed, Morocco’s depth at fullback has already underlined why the hosts remain among the strongest contenders for the title.