Dhaka, Dec. 23 -- Morocco finally got the celebration started, but relief - not revelry - defined Sunday as the hosts eased past minnows Comoros 2-0 in the opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Driving rain dulled the mood and Morocco's nerves showed early, summed up by a missed penalty, as the weight of expectation bore down on a side tipped as runaway favorites yet still chasing their first Cup of Nations title in 50 years. The breakthrough came only after the break in the Group A opener, with Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi finding the net. The margin could have been wider, though, as Comoros wilted late on and Morocco finally found their rhythm."It's never easy to get into the competition," said Morocco coach Walid Regragu...