Morocco vs. Comoros: How Atlas Lions overcame first-half frustration to launch title bid- Pulse of the Day

Morocco opened their AFCON 2025 campaign exactly as tournament favourites should, not with flash, but with composure. 

After a frustrating first half against a stubborn Comoros side, the hosts resisted panic, trusted their structure, and delivered when it mattered most, scoring twice after the break to secure a controlled 2-0 win at home.

Manager Walid Regragui's pre-match message, manage emotions, play with confidence and humility, proved prophetic. Comoros sat deep, asked serious questions, and nearly stole an improbable lead. 

But Morocco's TWO-YEAR preparation, as revealed by Regragui, and mental strength showed when the pressure mounted, turning territorial dominance into goals that mattered.

Before a ball was kicked, Morocco delivered a vibrant celebration of African culture with performances from Davido, French Montana, and RedOne lighting up the opening ceremony. 

Moroccan Crown Prince Moulay Hassan provided the ceremonial kick-off, officially launching the continental showpiece.

Then came the test.

Morocco dominated possession from the opening whistle and earned a golden opportunity in the 11th minute when Congolese referee Ngala Ndambo pointed to the spot. 

Al Ain forward Sofiane Rahimi stepped up and saw his penalty saved brilliantly by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor, who would prove the visitors' best player throughout.

An early injury to captain Romain Saiss, deputising for the absent Achraf Hakimi, forced Regragui into a change, with Jawad El Yamiq coming on. The disruption didn't help Morocco's rhythm against opponents who had clearly studied the blueprint for frustrating superior sides: stay compact, stay organised, stay patient.

The Atlas Lions controlled the half completely, preventing Comoros from registering a single shot on target. Yet time and again, Pandor denied them, producing save after save to keep the scoreline blank at the break. 

It was exactly the kind of scenario where favorites can lose their head, chasing goals, abandoning shape, inviting chaos.

Morocco didn't blink.

The patience Regragui demanded finally paid dividends after the interval. Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz broke the deadlock with a composed right-footed finish from the center of the box, set up perfectly by Noussair Mazraoui. The stadium exhaled. The dam had broken.

Minutes later, Morocco added gloss with a moment of individual brilliance. Ayoub El Kaabi produced a spectacular overhead kick, a left-footed acrobatic finish from the center of the box after Anass Salah-Eddine's delivery, to double the lead and settle any lingering nerves.

This wasn't Morocco's most dazzling performance, but it might have been more valuable than a 5-0 thrashing. They showed championship temperament: the ability to stay calm when things aren't clicking, to trust the process when results aren't immediate, and to deliver clinical moments when opportunities arise.

Comoros defended heroically and can take pride in their organisation, but Morocco's class eventually told. As tournament openers go, it's exactly what pre-tournament favourites needed: three points, a clean sheet, confidence intact, and a reminder that patience can be as potent as pace.

The Atlas Lions are off and running. The question now isn't whether they can beat stubborn opponents, it's whether anyone can beat them.