Morocco v Comoros – Line-ups, stats and preview
Morocco take on Comoros on Sunday in the Africa Cup of Nations. Read our in-depth preview here...
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Match Preview
All eyes will be on Rabat on Sunday as hosts Morocco begin their Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Comoros in Group A.
Nineteen host nations have won their opening match at AFCON, and the Atlas Lions will be aiming to make it 20 when they face a Comoros side with a growing reputation for causing upsets.
Morocco kick off their AFCON 2025 journey at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium determined to avoid becoming just the sixth host nation, and the first since Burkina Faso in 1998, to lose their opening fixture.
Even without the physically compromised Achraf Hakimi, Walid Regragui’s side will enter the contest confident, though fully aware of the dangers posed by an underestimated opponent.
This marks Morocco’s 20th appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations, with expectation weighing heavily on a squad that reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2022 but has often flattered to deceive on the continental stage. The Atlas Lions are seeking only their second AFCON title, and their first since 1976.
Hosting the tournament in 1988 yielded just a semi-final appearance, and since losing the 2004 final, Morocco’s best performances have been quarter-final exits in 2017 and 2021.
More recent tournaments have brought disappointment, including a shock last-16 exit to South Africa at AFCON 2023.
That defeat in January was, however, the last time Morocco lost a competitive match, underlining their status as Africa’s top-ranked side heading into the tournament.
Comoros, though, have already shown they can thrive on the AFCON stage. On their tournament debut in 2021, the Coelacanths famously eliminated Ghana with a dramatic 3-2 win to reach the knockout phase.
Although they missed out on AFCON 2023 after a challenging qualifying group, Comoros still collected seven points and returned stronger this time, going unbeaten in qualification with three wins and three draws.
Ranked 108th in the world, Comoros will not be overawed and will take encouragement from a 2-2 draw with Morocco in AFCON 2019 qualifying as they look to frustrate the hosts.
Team news for Morocco v Comoros
Achraf Hakimi is unlikely to feature as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury, while Sofyan Amrabat is also expected to miss out with a leg problem.
Hamza Igmane is sidelined due to a hamstring issue, leaving Regragui with decisions to make in midfield and defence.
Brahim Diaz was Morocco’s top scorer in qualifying but arrives at the tournament short of rhythm, while Youssef En-Nesyri remains the squad’s most prolific attacker with 25 international goals.
Comoros have no reported injury concerns, giving Stefano Cusin a fully fit squad to choose from for the Group A opener.
Youssouf M’Changama and Rafiki Said were key contributors in qualifying, with Said scoring the winner in a famous victory over Tunisia, while Faiz Selemani is an alternative to veteran forward El Fardou Ben Nabouhane.
Expected line-ups for Morocco v Comoros
Morocco: Bono; Mazraoui, Aguerd, El Yamiq, Salah-Eddine; Ben Seghir, El Aynaoui, Saibari; Diaz, En-Nesyri, Ezzalzouli
Comoros: Anzimati-Aboudou; B. Youssouf, M’Dahoma, Soilihi, Toibibou, Boura; M’Changama, Z. Youssouf, Bourhane; Said, Selemani
How to watch Morocco v Comoros: TV channel, online stream
The match will be broadcast live across Africa via SuperSport, with international coverage available through beIN Sports in selected regions.
In the UK, fans can watch AFCON on Channel 4, with Sunday’s opener scheduled for 19:00 GMT.
The stats for Morocco v Comoros
• Morocco are unbeaten in their last competitive matches
• Morocco are appearing at their 20th Africa Cup of Nations
• The Atlas Lions have won only one AFCON title, in 1976
• Nineteen host nations have won their opening AFCON match
• Comoros reached the AFCON knockout stage on their debut in 2021
• Comoros went unbeaten in AFCON 2025 qualifying
• Morocco and Comoros drew 2-2 in AFCON 2019 qualifying
Prediction
Morocco 2-0 Comoros
Morocco
Comoros
Comoros possess the organisation and belief to cause problems, particularly with Morocco likely missing Hakimi, but the hosts still hold a significant advantage in quality and depth.
Backed by home support and boasting multiple attacking threats, the Atlas Lions should have enough to secure a controlled victory and extend the tradition of host nations winning their opening AFCON fixture.
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