Morocco midfielder Brahim Díaz has issued an emotional apology after missing a crucial late penalty in the Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday, a moment that proved decisive in his side’s defeat to Senegal national football team.
Díaz failed to convert from the spot deep into stoppage time after Morocco were awarded a penalty following a VAR review, with the match still goalless. His chipped attempt was saved by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, before Senegal went on to secure victory in extra time.
Reacting in a statement shared on X on Monday, the 24-year-old accepted full responsibility for the miss and apologised to Moroccan supporters.
“My soul hurts. I dreamed of this title thanks to all the love you all gave me — every message, every show of support that made me feel I wasn’t alone. I fought with everything I had, with my heart above all else,” he wrote.
“Yesterday I failed and I take full responsibility. I apologise from the bottom of my heart.”
The midfielder admitted that the disappointment would be difficult to overcome but vowed to keep pushing forward for the fans who stood by him.
“It will be hard for me to recover, because this wound doesn’t heal easily… but I will try. Not for myself, but for everyone who believed in me and for everyone who suffered with me,” Díaz added.
“I will keep going forward until one day I can give you all this love back and become a source of pride for my Moroccan people.”
Morocco had been hoping to lift the AFCON title for the first time since 1976, while Senegal’s victory further cemented their status as one of Africa’s dominant football forces.