Morocco’s dreams of ending a 50-year Africa Cup of Nations trophy drought came heartbreakingly close on Sunday, only to slip away in dramatic fashion.
The Atlas Lions fell 1-0 to Senegal in Rabat, a defeat made even more painful by a missed penalty from star midfielder Brahim Diaz.
The 24-year-old, who had been central to Morocco’s campaign, faced an unforgettable moment in injury time.
After a tussle with Senegal’s El Hadji Malick Diouf inside the box, Diaz went down and, following a lengthy VAR review, a penalty was awarded.
Controversy Erupts as Senegal Protests
The decision ignited chaos on the pitch.
Senegal manager Pape Thiaw, furious with referee Jean-Jacques Ndala’s call, ordered his players to leave the field in protest, delaying the game for 17 tense minutes.
Fans in the stadium, already on edge, spilled onto the pitch, clashing with riot police and creating a scene of unprecedented tension.
When play resumed, Diaz stepped up to take the penalty.
Attempting a cheeky Panenka, he watched as former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy easily saved the shot.
The miss left Diaz visibly devastated, with the moment captured in heartbreaking detail for fans worldwide.
Diaz Breaks His Silence
Hours after the final, Diaz addressed the disappointment in a heartfelt social media post.
“My soul hurts,” he wrote, speaking directly to Moroccan supporters.
He admitted that failing at that crucial moment would be difficult to overcome but vowed to keep pushing forward for his fans and country.
“I dreamed of this title thanks to all the love you gave me,” Diaz said.
“Yesterday I failed, and I take full responsibility. I apologize from the bottom of my heart.
This wound doesn’t heal easily… but I will try—for everyone who believed in me and suffered with me.
I will keep going forward until I can give this love back and make my people proud.”
Despite the miss, Diaz finished as the tournament’s top scorer, receiving the Golden Boot from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, though the award did little to ease the sting of defeat.
Managerial and Fan Reactions
Morocco’s manager, Walid Regragui, substituted Diaz shortly after the penalty, a decision that underscored the high stakes and emotional intensity of the match.
Senegal’s lone goal came just five minutes into extra time, with Pape Gueye’s blistering strike securing victory and returning the AFCON trophy to the Teranga Lions for the first time since 2021.
Senegal’s protest, fans’ pitch invasions, and even missiles aimed at Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou heightened the match’s tension.
Scuffles broke out in the press box, and Moroccan journalists booed Thiaw during his post-match conference.
Apologies and Fallout
Thiaw later admitted his actions were rash, apologizing for ordering his players off the field.
“You can react in the heat of the moment. We accept the referee’s errors and now present our apologies to football,” he said.
Regragui criticized Senegal’s actions, calling them “a shame for Africa.”
He emphasized the importance of respecting the sport and noted the cruelty of football, where a single moment can change a nation’s fate.
Thiaw now faces a possible lengthy ban, while Morocco’s football federation has announced plans to pursue legal action over the incident.
Meanwhile, Diaz’s journey continues as he seeks to heal from the miss and keep striving for glory on behalf of his nation.
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