Hosts Morocco began their Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2025 campaign with a hard-earned victory, overcoming a stubborn Comoros side in a tense opening match that underlined both the pressure of expectation and the resilience of underdogs on the continental stage. While the scoreline ultimately favoured the Atlas Lions, the performance was far from straightforward, as Comoros pushed the hosts deep into the contest before Morocco’s quality told.
Playing in front of a passionate home crowd eager to see their team lift the trophy on home soil, Morocco dominated possession from the outset. Walid Regragui’s side moved the ball confidently across midfield, probing for early openings, but Comoros arrived with a clear plan: remain compact, defend aggressively, and frustrate the favourites. Their disciplined low block limited Morocco to speculative efforts in the opening exchanges, with chances at a premium.
Despite boasting attacking talents such as Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri, Morocco struggled to find rhythm in the final third during the first half. Comoros’ defenders threw themselves into challenges, while goalkeeper Salim Ben Boina remained alert to deny the hosts whenever they did break through. The longer the deadlock persisted, the louder the tension grew inside the stadium, with murmurs of impatience rippling through the stands.
Comoros, meanwhile, grew in confidence as the match wore on. Though they saw little of the ball, their counter-attacking threat was evident. On a couple of occasions, they caught Morocco high up the pitch, forcing goalkeeper Bono into smart interventions that prevented a shock opening goal. Their organisation and belief epitomised the growing competitiveness of smaller nations in African football.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the second half, sparked by Morocco’s increased tempo and urgency. Regragui introduced fresh legs, and the change paid dividends as the hosts began to stretch Comoros horizontally. A well-worked move down the flank eventually unlocked the defence, allowing Morocco to break the deadlock and send the crowd into raptures. The goal lifted a visible weight off the players’ shoulders, freeing them to play with greater confidence.
Comoros refused to fold, however, and continued to battle bravely. Their determination forced Morocco to remain vigilant, knowing that a single lapse could undo their hard work. It was only in the closing stages that the hosts finally sealed the contest with a second goal, capitalising on tired legs and a rare defensive error. The finish provided reassurance rather than celebration, reflecting the hard-fought nature of the contest.
At full-time, the relief among Moroccan players and supporters was unmistakable. While the performance may not have been flawless, the result was crucial. Opening matches at major tournaments often carry added pressure, and Morocco will take encouragement from securing three points while keeping a clean sheet.
For Comoros, defeat brought disappointment but also pride. Their disciplined display served notice that they will not be pushovers in Group play, and they can draw confidence from pushing one of the tournament favourites to the limit.
As Afcon 2025 gets underway, Morocco’s victory sets the tone for a campaign filled with expectation. The hosts know improvements are needed, but winning the opener—especially against such stubborn opposition—could prove a vital foundation in their quest for continental glory.
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