The Morocco shook off a nervy start to defeat Comoros in the tournament's first match on the weekend, with goals from Brahim Díaz and super-sub El Kaabi in the second half.
This constituted a less than dominant display, though, from the heavily tipped Moroccans, who are ranked 97 places higher than the tiny island nation in the world rankings and had to grind out for the three points in wet conditions at the national stadium.
Morocco missed an early penalty and were locked at 0-0 at the interval even with controlling the ball, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
The goal arrived after Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before slipping it across for Brahim Díaz to calmly pass home.
“The first match is never easy but we came good in the second period,” commented manager Regragui.
Any lingering nerves was subsequently calmed by a piece of sheer individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Only ten minutes following his introduction, the striker met a cross with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 74th minute, making it two and ensuring the win.
Earlier in the match, the hosts could have been ahead in the 11th minute when a penalty was awarded for a foul on Díaz. However, Soufiane Rahimi effort was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.
The underdogs comfortably held their more illustrious opponents for long periods before the Moroccans' superior firepower in the end made the difference.
Shot-stopper Yannick Pandor pulled off several further fine saves to keep down the scoreline as the match wore on, although Comoros did have a chance for an equaliser shortly after the first goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing directly into keeper Yassine Bounou.
The three points was somewhat marred by an apparent injury to Morocco's skipper, Romain Saïss, who was forced off after the first half in tears.
The defender had only made his comeback to the national side recently after a lengthy layoff caused by a serious ankle operation.
This result continues Morocco's historic run of successive victories to nineteen, surpassing the previous best of 15 set by the Spanish national team between 2008 and 2009.
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