Regragui on Penalties & Morocco Fans’ Reaction

Walid Regragui, coach of the Moroccan national team, expressed his great dissatisfaction with the scenario of the African Cup of Nations final against Senegal, which was decided in extra time with a goal without a response, stressing that small details made the difference in a match that was equal at most levels.

During the press conference, the national voter touched on the penalty kick that Ibrahim Diaz missed in the decisive moments of the match, explaining that the player was the first to take the penalty within the group, and had previously scored a penalty kick against the Mali national team, but failure this time remains a possibility in football and was not the first of its kind within the national team.

Regragui stressed that missing a penalty kick should not be held against a specific player, pointing out that the responsibility is collective, and that such moments are part of the game, despite their cruelty in a final match the size of the Africa Cup of Nations.

In a related context, the national team coach revealed that the inclusion of Hamza Ighaman came after the player was physically ready, before he suffered a serious injury, which was a rupture of the cruciate ligament, expressing his regret for these painful developments.

Regragui concluded his speech by emphasizing that winning the African Cup of Nations is not an easy matter, expressing his understanding of the extent of the shock experienced by the Moroccan sports street, stressing at the same time his pride in what the players presented, and the necessity of accepting failure and continuing to work in preparation for what is coming.