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Host nation the Moroccan side shook off a nervy beginning to overcome Comoros in the tournament's inaugural fixture on the weekend, after strikes by the Real Madrid attacker and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the latter period.

It was a hardly emphatic display, though, from the heavily tipped Moroccans, who are ranked 97 places above the small island nation in the FIFA rankings and had to work tirelessly for the points in wet conditions at Rabat's national stadium.

Nervy Start and Spurned Chances

Morocco missed an first-half penalty and were goalless at the interval despite controlling the ball, finally opening the scoring in the 55th minute.

It arrived after Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before laying it across for Brahim Díaz to calmly pass home.

Every opening game is invariably tough but we delivered in the second period,” said manager Regragui.

The Substitute's Moment of Magic

The tension was subsequently extinguished by a piece of pure genius from Ayoub El Kaabi. Just 10 minutes following coming on, the forward connected with a ball into the box with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the win.

Before that, the Moroccan team might have taken ahead in the 11th minute when a penalty was given for a foul on Díaz. However, Rahimi's penalty was kept out by keeper Pandor.

Comoros Defiant Stand and Late Chance

Comoros comfortably held Morocco at bay before the hosts' superior firepower eventually made the difference.

Goalkeeper Yannick Pandor made several other good stops to keep down the scoreline as the game wore on, although his team did have a clear opportunity for an equalizer shortly following Díaz's goal, with Saïd shooting straight at Morocco goalkeeper Bounou.

Fitness Concern for Hosts

The three points was partially overshadowed by an apparent injury to the captain, Saïss, who was forced off in the first half in some distress.

The defender had only returned to the international setup recently after a year’s absence due to a serious ankle operation.

The win continues Morocco's historic run of successive victories to nineteen, surpassing the previous record of 15 set by Spain between 2008 and 2009.