Host nation Morocco began the 35th Africa Cup of Nations in style on Sunday, defeating Comoros 2-0 as fans and members of the royal family watched from the stands.

Ayoub El Kaabi produced the standout moment of the night with a stunning overhead kick in the 74th minute to secure the win, drawing loud applause from Moroccan Crown Prince Moulay Hassan, who attended the opening match and greeted both teams before kickoff.

Despite being heavy favorites, Morocco faced stiff resistance from Comoros, ranked 108th globally. The visitors frustrated the home side for much of the match, with goalkeeper Yannick Pandor denying Soufiane Rahimi from the penalty spot early on.

The breakthrough finally came in the 55th minute when Brahim Díaz found the net, easing the tension inside the stadium. El Kaabi later sealed the result with his acrobatic finish.

Morocco suffered an early setback when captain Romain Saïss was forced off with an injury, leaving the pitch in tears. Coach Walid Regragui said the extent of the injury was still unclear. Regular captain Achraf Hakimi remained on the bench as a precaution after recovering from an ankle problem but appeared before kickoff to present his African Footballer of the Year award to supporters.

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The opening ceremony featured performances by Angélique Kidjo, Jaylann and Lartiste amid a vibrant light show, with rain failing to dampen the festive atmosphere.

Morocco, ranked 11th in the world and Africa’s top-ranked team, is chasing its second AFCON title since 1976. The final is scheduled for Jan 18.

The tournament is being staged across nine venues in six cities, including the nearly 70,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

Egypt begin their campaign against Zimbabwe on Monday, while defending champions Ivory Coast face Mozambique on Wednesday. The Confederation of African Football has also confirmed the tournament will shift to a four-year cycle in line with the FIFA calendar.

Source: AP