Ayoub El Kaabi turned Morocco’s AFCON opener into his own personal show — with a goal that will echo through the tournament.
The Atlas Lions beat Comoros 2-0 in Rabat, but the result was almost secondary
to El Kaabi’s outrageous bicycle kick, a moment of sheer brilliance that brought the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium to its feet on a wet Sunday night.
Introduced from the bench, the Olympiakos striker needed just one touch to steal the spotlight.
An incredible goal to make it 2-0 in the opener of AFCON between Morocco and Comoros.
Ayoub El Kaabi, take a bow ✨
📽️ @SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/b8UPRekuPn
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) December 21, 2025
Latching onto Anass Salah-Eddine’s cross from the left, El Kaabi launched himself into the air and executed a perfectly timed overhead kick, thundering the ball past a stunned Pandor. It was one of football’s most difficult techniques — delivered with absolute confidence and precision.
Morocco had controlled the contest throughout, and El Kaabi’s wonder goal provided the emphatic punctuation their dominance deserved. Playing at home and ranked Africa’s top side, the Atlas Lions set the tone for their AFCON campaign with authority — but it was El Kaabi who gave the night its defining image.
Coach Walid Regragui acknowledged the tension of an opening game for the hosts but was pleased with the outcome. “The 2-0 scoreline is well deserved,” he said.
“We could even have scored a third had we not relaxed a little in the last five minutes.
“It is great for the fans, but the objective was not to produce our best possible performance in the first match.”
With Group A clashes against Mali and Zambia up next, Morocco march on — carrying with them a goal that may already be one of the tournament’s finest.
(with agency inputs)
