19.1.2026
Morocco’s Atlas Lions were offered a chance to win Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final via a disputed in injury time penalty kick, but Brahim Diaz fluffed the chance with his Panenka attempt. Senegal created an opportunity from out of the blue and finished off the game.
According to coach Walid Regragui his team fell apart after the penalty miss. He described the moment as “very frustrating for all Moroccan fans,” adding that “when you get a penalty in the last minute, you feel victory is very close, but football can be cruel.”
Despite the defeat, Regragui praised his players’ performance throughout the tournament and insisted that the team will return stronger in future competitions.
“The players will come back stronger, and we will continue working. Morocco will come back stronger.”
Regragui also criticized some aspects surrounding the tournament, suggesting the overall image of African football suffered during the event. “It is unfortunate the image presented today of African football, given the toxic atmosphere since the start of the tournament,” he said.
