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Key occasions
64 min: Pandor makes an exquisite pair of stops because the stress ratchets up but additional. Mazraoui shoots, the ball comes out, and El Aynaoui’s effort can also be saved.
62 min: Possibilities coming thick and quick now, and Aguerd will get an opportunity to shoot as Morocco pour ahead. It’s blocked by a gaggle of our bodies.
60 min: Comoros being pressured into errors…however Morocco are succesful, too, and Mentioned escapes after an Amrabat tackles, checks again, however Bono, who has been a passenger up to now, makes a smothering save.
58 min: Morocco need one other, and Diaz goes near establishing Saibari, who’s turning into ever extra energetic throughout the frontline.
57 min: Now the followers in Rabat are making that noise in a constructive trend. Comoros have been lulled out of their shell and paid for that.
Purpose! Morocco 1-0 Comoros (Diaz, 56)
Amrabat performs the ball out to Mazraoui, who finds house and his move to the centre finds Diaz unmarked, and the Actual Madrid man makes no mistake.
54 min: Saibari involves the ball on the again put up however can’t hook it again in. These Comoros defenders, Kari and Soilihi, have been rock strong.
52 min: The noise ranges again up, however are they jeers for the house staff or Comoros having the ball. Morocco have regarded rather a lot higher than in direction of the tip of the primary half the place they grew extra listless.
50 min: In spite of everything that effort within the first half, it’s attainable Comoros legs have seized up. Mazraoui appears to be discovering more room. As does Diaz. Amrabat’s cross is available in, however so does a flag on the play.
48 min: Morocco look to take the free-kick rapidly and eventually a gap. El Aynaoui has the purpose gaping nevertheless it bounces someplace above his calf and broad. That was as shut as they’ve come because the penalty.
47 min: Brahim Diaz, who had a blended first half, overplays the ball and Comoros breathe as soon as extra.
Again underway in Rabat
46 min: No adjustments at half-time, Morocco having already been compelled into that change went Saiss pulled up. The gang, it needs to be stated, is notably much less fervent than forward of kick-off.
My colleague, Yassin El-Moudden, is watching the match in London on the Africa Centre.
Half-time: Morocco 0-0 Comoros
A really AfCon begin as heavy favourites battle to interrupt down minnows. The heroes up to now have been Pandor and Mentioned, whereas Morocco have misplaced Roman Saiss. All isn’t going to plan for the hosts and favourites.
45+6 min: One final free-kick probability? Brahim Diaz and Saibari can’t get the ball previous the primary defender. The groups depart the sector to what feels like whistles.
45+5 min: Pandor is down, and the magic spray is out. This half will drag on for some time but.
45+4 min: Morocco, pissed off, attempt to get it launched, Pandor deliberates and Diaz slides in on Soilhi’s back-pass however can solely foul the keeper. He’s booked for that, too.
45+2 min: Peter Oh will get in contact: “If the Comoros goalie strays too far off his line he will certainly open up a Pandor’s field.”
Mentioned does one other shuttle run and will get tackled and fouled. He’s run himself into the bottom, and the Moroccan staff and followers to distraction.
45 min: Mentioned continues to be a pest to idling Moroccan defenders. There shall be six added minutes. Added to that lengthy buildup, they’ve been on the market a very long time.
43 min: Uh oh…there’s a VAR name. Diaz seems to have dealt with the ball, and the referee, Jean-Jacques Ndala, from Congo, comes over. And, for as soon as, having been requested to take a look at the display, he waves it away. Jubilation from the Comoros gamers.
41 min: Diaz is being closed down effectively, the Actual Madrid starlet simply can’t discover house. He skips on and appears for an additional penalty. However he had already dealt with himself in any case.
39 min: Mazraoui is seeing loads of the ball, however has to chop on to his left to cross. That offers the Comoros defenders probability to clear. Youssouf M’Changama, as soon as of Oldham, makes the clearance. He’ll be comfy with rain.
37 min: Kari, of Comoros, is booked for his foul on Saibari, and a free-kick outcomes. Taken brief, to Aguerd by Diaz, and the West Ham legend – Convention League winner – smashes it into the skies. Extra waste.
36 min: Aguerd has to point out off some fancy footwork to take the ball previous Mentioned, who’s enjoying a one-man urgent sport, and most impressively.
34 min: Amrabat virtually provides the ball away, and he’s fortunate that Youssouf was not shut sufficient to steal in. That will alter the temper.
33 min: Mentioned wins a foul and a few very important time for Comoros. All palms to the pump, and if the plan was to frustrate the hosts, it’s working. Pandor the hero up to now with that penalty save.
31 min: A irritating opening half hour for Morocco, notably with the lack of Roman Saiss. There’s boos from the house followers as Comoros get pleasure from some possession.
29 min: The nook is cleared. Actually good defensive organisation from Comoros. Morocco try some hurry-up offense, and Saibari shoots virtually on sight. It doesn’t work, both.
28 min: Salah-Eddine is fouled, to arrange a free-kick probability from the left-hand aspect. It’s blasted proper into the wall, and solely a nook will outcome.
26 min: The deluge continues, when it comes to Morocco stress. Some positive crosses coming in, however Comoros are defending doggedly.
25 min: Sven Dobbelaere will get in contact: “Yay Afcon is again! That is the very best match imho :).Thanks for the protection. As a Belgian, wanting dorward to seeing what Saintfiet can do with Mali (tough group they’re in!), and questioning wtf Hugo Broos was pondering earlier, however wanting ahead to sering South Africa too. I hope Morocco don’t crumble below the load of expectations. Personally, I’m rooting for Dr Congo.
So does Joe Pearson: “I hope that was an intentional reference to Bladerunner.”
Ahem.
23 min: Such expertise on this Morocco staff, even with out Hakimi, although maybe being the staff requested to play on the entrance foot isn’t more likely to present their finest aspect.
21 min: That Saiss loss appears to have taken the steam from Morocco. What can Amrabat, today of Betis, do? Mazraoui smashes within the ball, and it falls to Diaz, who can’t recover from it.
19 min: Saiss goes off, and El Yamiq, as soon as of Genoa and Valladolid, comes on. His first involvement is coming throughout to rob Mentioned who was offside, although the referee stored play going for an inordinate period of time.
16 min: Saiss performs on for now as Morocco proceed to pile ahead. However that’s that, he’s down once more, and visibly upset. He won’t be again till the very later levels. Tears within the rain from him.
14 min: Roman Saiss, as soon as of Wolves, has gone to the ground, and that appears a hamstring pull. That lengthy wait to kick off has taken its toll.
Lucian will get in contact: “Thanks for the protection of tge AFCON opening ceremony & match. A slight correction, required: Akhannouch is the prime minister of Morocco, as you rightly identified later within the put up. Have enjoyable, want I used to be there. Getting emotions of homesickness, having grown up in Rabat snd then Tangier. Greetings from chilly Switzerland!”
I shall be heading there for a couple of days at first of January. The climate seems unpromising.
13 min: Mazraoui commits a foolish foul; Morocco most likely must relax right here.
12 min: Good goalkeeping, good psychology from Pandor. Now, can the Moroccans take care of the stress?
Penalty saved!
Rahimi chooses to smash it, and Pandor reads it, the ball bouncing clear. That was a poor penalty.
Penalty to Morocco!
10 min: Rahimi and Brahim Diaz each make penalty claims, the second ends in the ball, and is mushy. Mohamed had made the problem however VAR goes with ref’s name
8 min: Salah-Eddine, the PSV participant, on mortgage from Roma, is on the fitting, and so is Mazraoui. Morocco seem like speeding issues a bit right here. The gang are most expectant.
6 min: One-way visitors seems the order of the day. Comoros will go on the counter. Selemani is fouled as he tries to make his escape. That regarded a reserving. Not given.
5 min: Comoros are sat deep. El Aynaoui is pissed off in his makes an attempt to get the ball into the centre. Good management by Rahimi, however Comoros get again in numbers.
3 min: Couple of lengthy slide tackles already. The groundsman is not going to be pleased. Amrabat, such a hero in Qatar, and who should be recalled fondly at Manchester United for his efficiency within the 2024 FA Cup last, is within the thick of midfield.
Away we go at AfCon
1 min: Kick-off comes as aid for the gamers who’ve been getting soaked to the pores and skin below that downpour. Large noise as Mazraoui units off on a run, jeers when he loses the ball and Comoros get the ball.
5 of the 11 who began for Morocco within the 2022 World Cup semi take the stage, minus Hakimi, in fact. Comoros search to go so far as in 2021 after they bought to the final 16. It truly is raining onerous.
The Crown Prince, dressed like Kendall Roy, takes the ceremonial first kick of the championships. It’s raining in Rabat.
The ambiance in Rabat is wild, flags waving, noise aplenty. The stress’s on. Achraf Hakimi is sat on the bench, the best man within the stadium. He’s not anticipated to play a component, he hasn’t performed since coming off with a left ankle harm in a Champions League sport in opposition to Bayern Munich at first of final month. Shock! Gianni Infantino is within the constructing, urgent flesh with Aziz Akhannouch, the president of Morocco; Gianni by no means leaves residence with out the corporate of a nation’s premier. Moulay Hassan, Crown Prince of Morocco, is a part of the delegation, too.
The groups take to the sector in Rabat, the stadium seems near full, the house followers are expectant. Can Morocco set a normal?
On the sector at Rabat, on the Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah, CAF President Dr Pratrice Motsepe has takes to declare the AFCON open. Sadly, UK protection of the opening ceremony has been non-existent.
Achraf Hakimi, a excessive performer in our Prime 100, is on the bench for Morocco. His coach, Walid Regragui, spoke forward of the tourney: “We have now been working for 2 years. It is going to be an enormous day, at residence. Our goal has all the time been to win the AFCON and to present all the pieces. Our supporters are with us.”
On Hakimi:“He might begin, or he might not. Each match is essential. We must handle feelings and play with confidence and humility.”
A reminder of the Afcon 2026 teams:
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Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros
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Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
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Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
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Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana
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Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
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Group F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
Karim will get in contact: “I’m 51 and have waited all my life for Morocco to win an Afcon. Each two years I sit all the way down to see which shambolic, hilarious and shameful method they’ll mess it up this time. However this time absolutely, that is our 12 months. My son and I are heading to Rabat for the ultimate, so that is going to be a irritating 4 weeks. Love your work John, stick with it and benefit from the sport mate.”
Here is the groups
Morocco: Bono; Salah-Eddine, Aguerd, Saiss, Mazraoui; Ounahi, Amrabat, Diaz; El Aynaoui, Rahimi, Saibari. Subs: Talbi, Seghir, El Yamiq, En-Nesyri, Chibi, Hakimi, Munir, Boudial, Al Harrar, El Kaabi, Targhalline, Akhomach, Masina, El Khannous, Ezzalzouli
Comoros: Pandor; Kari, Soilhi, Toibibou, Boura; Z. Youssouf, B. Youssouf, Mohamed, Selemani; Ahamada, Mentioned;. Subs: Amir, Mohamed, Bakari, Ahmed, Bourhane, M’Dahoma, Maolida, Lutin, Ben, Abdallah, Abdallah, Vita, Anzimati, Morivili, Boina
As Jonathan Wilson says: “Maybe attitudes are usually not fairly as parochial as they as soon as have been, nevertheless it stays true that, in England at the very least, the Africa Cup of Nations is mentioned much less as a match in its personal proper than when it comes to what it means for the Premier League.”
There shall be appreciable Premier League contingent in Morocco, some actual key names, too.
The large tales forward of this championship kicking off have been the controversial lack of lead time, and that the match will happen each 4 years however solely after it’s held in 2027 and 2028.
Preamble
The host nation kicks off in opposition to the island nation. Africa’ finest staff on the final World Cup tackle a staff who’re second-time qualifiers, and we kick off in Rabat after the opening ceremony. Morocco have solely received this competitors as soon as, and that shall be 50 years come new 12 months and the match ending on 18 January.
Kick-off is at 7pm UK time / 8pm native time. Be part of me.
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