Morocco’s Soufiane Rahimi who was brought down in the 18-yard box of their opponents lost a penalty in the 9th minute of the game.

The penalty was saved by Comoros’ goal keeper, Yannick Pandor.

The hosts who lost their captain Romain Saiss to injury took control of the game with Jawad El Yamiq taking his place.

They dominated the game with 75 per cent possession as against Comoros’ 25 per cent.

Brahim Diaz opened scoring in the 55th minute through an assist from Noussair Mazraoui.

In spite of the efforts by Comoros to get an equaliser, the hosts sealed the victory through substitute El Kabbi’s goal in the 74th minute.

Morocco who are now leading Group A will take on their Malian counterparts on Friday, while Zambia will take on Comoros on Thursday.

On Monday, South Africa will face Angola in Marrakech while Egypt, record seven-time African champions will take on  Zimbabwe in Agadir in Group B.

Hosts Morocco are ranked 11th in the world, the highest-ranked African nation, while Comoros are ranked 108th.

The two sides have met four times previously, with Morocco winning three matches and one ending in a draw.

Morocco and Comoros have also clashed at the group stage of the 2021 edition in Cameroon.

60,180 spectators watched the opening match of the tournament, including the Moroccan Crown Prince Moulay Hassan.

FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, was among those in attendance.

Source: NAN

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The post AFCON 2025: Morocco edge Comoros 2-0 in Rabat appeared first on Frontpageng.

The Group C match played at the Roumde Adjia Stadium saw the four-time champions losing to their less-fancied opponents.

They thus finished bottom of their group with one point from one draw and two losses in three matches.

El Fardou Ben Mohamed scored Comoros’ first-ever goal at the AFCON before Ahmed Mogni added a second just past the hour-mark.

Goals from Richmond Boakye and Alexander Djiku levelled the game for Ghana, but Mogni grabbed a winner for the tiny island nation with five minutes remaining.

The Black Stars had their captain Andre Ayew sent off in the 25th minute after a reckless collision with the Comoros goalkeeper Ben Boina during a goalmouth scramble.

This is the first time in their history that Ghana have failed to progress from the group stage.

Morocco topped Group C with seven points, followed by Gabon with five points, with both teams assured of automatic qualification.

In the Morocco versus Gabon match played in Yaounde at the same time, Gabon led twice through Jim Allevinah and a Nayef Aguerd own-goal while Sofiane Boufal and Achraf Hakimi netted for Morocco.

Comoros who finished third in the group with three points still have an outside chance of being among the best third-placed finishers.

But their -2 goals difference will likely count against them.

Source: NAN

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