CASABLANCA – They came for a coronation. They witnessed a contest. In the simmering cauldron of the Grand Stade de Casablanca, the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations didn’t so much kick off as it exploded, with tournament darlings Morocco given a ferocious, flavorful examination by the fearless Comoros. The Atlas Lions eventually feasted, securing a 2-0 victory, but the aftertaste was one of respect, not mere dominance.
From the first whistle, the script was challenged. Morocco, sleek in their signature red, moved the ball with the precision of a master chef—crisp, measured, a blend of local ras el hanout and European sophistication. Yet, Comoros, the Cœlacanthes, were no mere garnish. They pressed with the piquancy of their island’s chili, disrupting rhythm, their tackles sharp and declarations of intent.
The breakthrough, when it came, was a moment of distilled quality. Just after the half-hour, Hakim Ziyach, the sorcerer-in-chief, received the ball in a pocket of space that seemed to materialize only for him. With a shimmy that froze two defenders, he unleashed a curling, left-footed dagger that didn’t so much fly as trace a parabola of pure intention around the goalkeeper’s despairing glide. The net rippled; the stadium exhaled a nation’s anticipation.
But Comoros refused to wilt. Their response was a symphony of near-misses that will haunt their dreams. The clearest chance fell to Youssouf M’Changama just before half-time. A Moroccan defensive header fell kindly, and from 20 yards, he met it with a volcanic first-time strike that screamed toward the top corner. The ball seemed destined to burst the net, only to kiss the crossbar with a metallic sigh and sail over. The sound echoed around the stunned arena—a reminder of football’s brutal, beautiful margins.
The second half was a relentless Moroccan pressure cooker, but the Comorian resistance, led by goalkeeper Salim Ben Boina, was heroic. Achraf Hakimi, a perpetual storm down the right, saw a low drive miraculously pushed onto the post by Ben Boina’s telescopic leg. Then, it was Youssef En-Nesyri’s turn, rising like a falcon only to see his powerful header caressed, not caught, onto the crossbar by the inspired keeper.
The sealing goal, arriving in the 78th minute, was a relief as much as a celebration. A rehearsed set-piece found its way to substitute Azzedine Ounahi, whose deflected shot wriggled through a forest of legs, a slightly scuffed but decisive finish that finally broke Comorian hearts.
For Morocco, the three points are the essential foundation. They navigated the intense opener with pressure that could crush granite and found a way. Yet, the questions linger. The fluency of their 2022 World Cup wizardry was patchy; the final touch often simmered when it needed to scorch. This was a wake-up call served on a silver platter—they are the hunted now, and every opponent will bring their own unique, fiery heat.
For Comoros, this was a loss that tasted of promise. They didn’t just defend; they asserted, they challenged, they carved out moments against a global powerhouse. The standing ovation they received from the Casablanca crowd was earned. They leave empty-handed but reputation swollen, a warning to every other group favorite that the so-called “minnows” in modern African football are, in fact, piranhas. Their campaign is alive, built on the confidence that they can stare down the very best.
AFCON 2025 is open. The hosts have their win, but the continent has taken note: the road to the crown will be no leisurely feast. It will be a spicy, hard-fought battle for every single bite.