- Morocco Defeats Comoros 2-0 In AFCON 2025 Opening Match
- Second half goals secured three points for the hosts.
- Morocco leads Group A after the opening match.
Host nation Morocco opened the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 victory over Comoros at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday night, marking a winning start to the continent’s biggest football tournament.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Atlas Lions eventually broke Comoros’ resistance in the 55th minute when Real Madrid midfielder Brahim Díaz finished calmly inside the penalty area to score the first goal of the tournament and lift the home crowd.
Morocco doubled their advantage in the 74th minute through Ayoub El Kaabi, whose acrobatic bicycle kick produced one of the standout goals of the competition so far and effectively ended Comoros’ hopes of a comeback.
Despite the scoreline, the opening half was a frustrating one for the hosts. Morocco dominated possession and territory but failed to convert their early chances. Soufiane Rahimi missed a first half penalty after Comoros goalkeeper Pandor produced an excellent save to keep the scores level at the break.
Comoros, appearing at only their second AFCON tournament, showed strong defensive discipline and resilience throughout the contest. Pandor delivered several key saves and marshalled his defence well as the island nation absorbed sustained pressure for long periods.
Morocco’s quality and depth eventually told in the second half as their attacking intensity increased and Comoros struggled to cope with the pace and movement of the hosts.
The result extended a long standing AFCON record, with host nations remaining unbeaten in their opening matches since Burkina Faso’s loss in 1998.
Morocco, ranked 11th in the world and currently Africa’s highest ranked national team, are chasing their first AFCON title since lifting the trophy in 1976.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will run until January 18, 2026, with 24 teams competing across six cities in Morocco.
Following the opening fixture, Morocco sit top of Group A with three points. Mali and Zambia will meet in the group’s second match.
