Host nation Morocco overcame a nervy start to beat Comoros in the competition's first match on the weekend, with goals from Brahim Díaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the latter period.
It was a less than dominant performance, though, from the strongly favored Moroccans, who sit 97 places higher than the small Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and had to toil hard for the victory in rainy conditions at the national stadium.
Morocco missed an first-half spot-kick and were goalless at the interval even with dominating possession, finally breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
The goal arrived after full-back Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before laying it square for Brahim Díaz to calmly pass home.
Every first match is invariably tough but we delivered in the second half,” said manager Walid Regragui.
Any lingering nerves was then extinguished by a piece of sheer individual brilliance from Ayoub El Kaabi. Just ten minutes after his introduction, the forward connected with a cross with a stunning bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the win.
Earlier in the match, the hosts could have been ahead in the 11th minute when a penalty was given for a challenge on Brahim Díaz. Yet, Soufiane Rahimi effort was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Pandor.
Comoros stoutly defended against Morocco for long periods before the hosts' greater quality eventually told.
Shot-stopper Pandor pulled off several other fine saves to limit the scoreline as the match wore on, even though his team created a chance for an equaliser shortly following Díaz's goal, with Saïd firing straight at Morocco goalkeeper Bounou.
The three points was partially overshadowed by an apparent injury to the skipper, Romain Saïss, who was forced off in the 18th minute in some distress.
The defender had only made his comeback to the international setup recently after a year’s layoff due to a serious ankle operation.
This result extends the team's historic run of successive victories to nineteen, beating the old record of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.
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