Morocco launch 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with victory over doughty Comoros

Hosts Morocco ground down a gritty Comoros side 2-0 on Sunday night to launch their bid for a second Africa Cup of Nations trophy.

Real Madrid striker Brahim Diaz swept in the opener 10 minutes into the second-half and Ayoub El Kaabi doubled the advantage 20 minutes later with a spectacular bicycle kick.

The strikes saved the blushes of Soufiane Rahimi who fluffed a penalty kick 10 minutes into the encounter at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

The 29-year-old drove the ball powerfully to the right of Yannick Pandor but the goalkeeper's leg deflected the shot away to safety.

Morocco continued to dominate possession after but failed to pierce the dogged defence.

Africa Cup of Nations hosts Morocco to open tournament on record winning streak

The victory - watched by Crown Prince Moulay Hassan - allowed Morocco to extend their winning run to 19 games and it was achieved without skipper Achraf Hakimi.

On the eve of the clash, Morocco coach Walid Regragui said that even though Hakimi had recovered from the ankle injury he sustained in November, the 27-year-old might not play in the opener.

"We need Hakimi because he is the best player in Africa and one of the best in the world and no team can afford to be without their best player," Regragui said after the game in which Manchester United's Noussair Mazraoui had deputized at right back for the Paris Saint-Germain star.

"Mazraoui is a fantastic player," Regragui added. "He has different qualities to Achraf. We didn't want to take a risk with Achraf.

"We are being very careful with him so we will see how he is in the next 48 hours to see if he can start against Mali.

"We are convinced he will play during the tournament and we are waiting patiently for him."

Mali start their Group A campaign on Monday afternoon against Zambia in Casablanca. 

Elsewhere on Monday, South Africa face Angola in Marrakesh in the late afternoon kick-off in Group B before Egypt take on Zimbabwe in Agadir in the same group.