Overview
- Morocco opened its Africa Cup campaign by beating Comoros 2-0 after a sluggish first half that included a 10th‑minute penalty miss.
- Brahim Díaz broke the deadlock from a Noussair Mazraoui cutback before Ayoub El Kaabi sealed it with a 74th‑minute overhead kick.
- Veteran defender Romain Saïss left with an injury, with reports indicating a muscle tear that may end his tournament, and captain Achraf Hakimi was unavailable with an ankle issue but collected Africa’s Footballer of the Year award before kickoff.
- Group A’s other game ended 1-1 as Zambia snatched a stoppage‑time equalizer through Patson Daka against Mali.
- Hosting the event highlights Morocco’s long-term football project led by major public investment, which has drawn youth-led criticism over spending and the lack of public mourning for recent flood victims.