Former Nigeria internationals Daniel Amokachi and Obi Mikel have shared their reactions to Brahim Diaz’s missed spot-kick during Morocco’s loss to Senegal.
It was a huge chance for Morocco to finally end their 50-year drought without an Afcon title.
However, Diaz — whose five goals had driven the hosts all the way to the final — opted for a ‘Panenka’ penalty. The decision proved costly. Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy refused to dive, stayed upright and comfortably caught the ball, leaving Diaz embarrassed.
The ex-Manchester City man and leading scorer of the tournament cut a devastated figure as the reality of the miss dawned on him. TV cameras later focused on Diaz sitting on the Morocco bench after being withdrawn in extra time, visibly emotional and struggling to hold back tears.
The Real Madrid attacker had endured a long delay of around 17 minutes before taking the penalty, after several Senegal players — Mendy included — walked off the pitch to protest the decision.
Speaking to BBC Sport on Monday, Amokachi said: “Brahim Diaz threw away all of his glorious moments, scoring five goals in this tournament.”
Mikel added: “It spoils everything Brahim Diaz has done well in this tournament. He is going to be devastated. This is going to be tough on him, for weeks, for months.”
Diaz had attempted the Panenka late in regulation time, but Senegal ultimately secured victory four minutes into extra time thanks to Pape Gueye.
Former Morocco midfielder Hassan Kachloul also gave his view, saying: “I think Brahim Diaz is going to have a lot of nightmares in the coming days,” while ex-Nigeria striker Efan Ekoku labelled it “a moment he will never get over.”
The miss brought a heartbreaking conclusion to a competition in which Diaz had netted five times, as Morocco were knocked out of the tournament.
The winger had been on the brink of cementing his place in Moroccan history after earning the penalty in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time, with the Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal still locked at 0–0.
