It was with a bad days face, obviously, that Walid Regragui presented himself at a press conference, Sunday shortly after midnight. Touched by the defeat of his team against the Senegalese in the CAN final (1-0 after), he nevertheless welcomed the success of his opponent. A press conference, however, quite incredible during which the resentment of certain journalists, anxious to know when he was going to resign, returned.
“It’s hard, very hard, I’m not going to lie,” he began. We were one minute away from being champions (and Brahim Diaz converted his penalty) but football is often cruel. We lost this match because of the chance we had to be champion. When we missed the penalty everything turned against us. We lose Igamane (hurt). We know we have to seize our chance. In the end it’s a Hitchcockian scenario. It is unfortunate for the Moroccan people. This group will come back stronger, they know the way to get to the final. But congratulations to Senegal, we missed the opportunity of a lifetime for some and for me. »
We are disappointed with what you proposed. As Morocco’s performance was not up to par, like the way Brahim Diaz took the penalty, my question is simple: are you going to resign this evening or tomorrow?
WALID REGRAGUI. It’s not a question.
Why not send someone other than Diaz to take the penalty?
Brahim shot against Mali, he scored. This is the order of the shooters. I’m not going to criticize my players when it’s time to shoot. Igamane may have become the crusader. A penalty that can offer you the African Cup, obviously, you have to score it. But it’s football. The same thing happened with Hakimi during the last CAN. There we had half an hour left. But we finished at 10 (with no further replacement possible)it was difficult to come back. Like the public, we wanted to win, the guys gave everything. You have to accept defeat, that’s how you come back stronger.
How was Diaz before and after the penalty and how did you take his panenka?
It was a long time before he shot (due to the threat of Senegalese players to leave the field). The image that has been given of Africa is shameful. Asking your team to leave the field is not classy. Tonight, Senegal are champions, congratulations to them. But what Pope did (Thiaw, Senegal coach)it’s not classy. We showed that to the whole world. It didn’t help Brahim, but that’s how it is.
Isn’t the primary cause of this defeat your choices to play players who were not ready?
We made changes to win the match, one of our best players (Igamane) injured his knee, we hope it’s not the Crusaders. It wasn’t written. We made changes to what we usually do. These are my choices, I accept them but when you lose you are always wrong.
Do your people understand that it is not easy to win at home?
In football you must always learn from your mistakes and stay humble. You have to come back strong for the next steps. Senegal is champion, it is the example to follow. And I hope my team deserves this trophy again.
When are you going to resign?
I am very proud of this team. We fought until the last minute. When there is a failure, you have to accept it and take responsibility for it. It’s the coach’s fault and that’s it…
What do you think of Bounou’s performance?
He deserves his title as best goalkeeper. He left us alive. To win trophies you need a great goalkeeper. His speech at the end of the match was extraordinary. He’s someone I really like. He remains the best goalkeeper in history and in the world. »
