Morocco vs Comoros live: Stunning El Kaabi overhead kick gives hosts win in opening game of 2025 Afcon
Morocco 2-0 Comoros: A brilliant acrobatic El Kaabi finish sealed the win for the hosts in the opening game of Afcon 2025
A superb acrobatic effort from Ayoub El Kaabi sealed a routine victory for hosts Morocco in the opening match of the 2025/26 Africa Cup of Nations.
Morocco dominated from the opening stages in Rabat, enjoying plenty of possession but struggling to break down a resolute Comoros defence, with visiting goalkeeper Yannick Pandor saving an early Rahimi penalty.
Frustration began creeping in among the home fans as the first half ended goalless but they were soon encouraged after the break, with a renewed intensity from the hosts bringing the opening goal as Brahim Diaz fired in from Noussair Mazraoui’s cutback.
The Atlas Lions were able to totally dominate the game from there – with Rafiki Said providing the only Comoros chance as he forced a good save from Bounou – before El Kaaba’s stunning overhead scissor-kick effort sealed the three points on 74 minutes, giving the hosts the ideal start to a tournament many expect them to win next month.
Relive the updates from the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium below:
Africa Cup of Nations moved to every four years
The Africa Cup of Nations will be held every four years instead of two from 2028, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced.
The tournament has traditionally been held biennially since its inception in 1957. The surprise announcement was made on the eve of the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off in Morocco on Sunday.
It follows a meeting of the CAF executive committee in Rabat, with president Patrice Motsepe announcing the major change in a press conference in Rabat.
Africa Cup of Nations moved to every four years
Why is the Africa Cup of Nations taking place over Christmas?
The Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Morocco on Sunday 21 December, with the final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat to be played on Sunday 18 January - far earlier than when held at this time of the calendar than in previous years.
The 35th edition of the biennial tournament was initially set to be played in July and August 2025, in order to reduce disruption with the European football season.
But the timing of the Africa Cup of Nations is, once again, a talking point - which is unfair to the tournament itself as it becomes squeezed by club football’s endless expansion.
Why is the Africa Cup of Nations taking place over Christmas?
Watch: El Kaabi stunner seals win
Here’s the replay of that stunning El Kaabi effort! A goal of the tournament contender already.
Afcon fixtures
Here’s a full list of the fixtures in Afcon ahead of Christmas, with a brief break before action resumes on Boxing Day.
Monday, December 22, 2025
Mali v Zambia | 2:00 PM | Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca, Morocco
South Africa v Angola | 5:00 PM | Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech, Morocco
Egypt v Zimbabwe | 8:00 PM | Le Grand Stade Agadir, Agadir, Morocco
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Congo DR v Benin | 12:30 PM | Stade El Barid, Rabat, Morocco
Senegal v Botswana | 3:00 PM | Stade Ibn-Batouta, Tanger, Morocco
Nigeria v Tanzania | 5:30 PM | Complexe Sportif de Fès, Fès, Morocco
Tunisia v Uganda | 8:00 PM | Stade Olympique de Rabat, Rabat, Morocco
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Burkina Faso v Equatorial Guinea | 12:30 PM | Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca, Morocco
Algeria v Sudan | 3:00 PM | Stade Prince Moulay Al Hassan, Rabat, Morocco
Ivory Coast v Mozambique | 5:30 PM | Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech, Morocco
Cameroon v Gabon | 8:00 PM | Le Grand Stade Agadir, Agadir, Morocco
FULL-TIME! Morocco 2-0 Comoros
Next up
Morocco’s next match comes on Boxing Day, with the Atlas Lions facing Mali at 8pm UK time in Rabat.
Comoros will face Zambia on the same day, with that one kicking off at 5.30pm GMT in Casablanca.
FULL-TIME! Morocco 2-0 Comoros
The referee blows the final whistle and it’s a deserved win for Morocco in the opening game of Afcon 2025.
The hosts dominated and a stunning acrobatic goal from El Kaabi sealed the three points in Rabat.
There’ll be tougher tests but it’s a solid start to the tournament in Rabat.
Morocco 2-0 Comoros
90 +2 mins
Into four minutes of added time here and the match is slowly xreeping towards the final whistle. All the intensity has gone as both teams await the result.
Morocco 2-0 Comoros
90 mins
Having said that, the visitors do have half a chance as they put the ball into the box from a free-kick, but Soilihi heads wide at the far post.
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