Forward “takes full responsibility” for missed spotkick and says it will be “difficult to recover”
Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz has sent out a public apology to Morocco fans after his failed Panenka penalty led to his side losing the Africa Cup of Nations final to Senegal.
Morocco were searching for their first Afcon trophy in 50 years. The final versus Senegal was goalless up to stoppage time, when Morocco were awarded a controversial penalty that saw the Senegal players walk off the pitch and the game delayed for 15 minutes.
When play resumed, Diaz’s spotkick was comfortably saved by Senegal’s Benjamin Mendy after the striker attempted to chip it with flair. Morocco ultimately lost after Pape Gueye scored in extra time to send Senegal flying.
“My soul hurts,” Brahim wrote on social media. “I dreamed of this title thanks to all the love you have given me, every message, every show of support that made me feel I was not alone. I fought with everything I had, with my heart above all else.
“Yesterday I failed, and I take full responsibility and apologise wholeheartedly. It will be difficult for me to recover, because this wound does not heal easily, but I will try.
“Not for myself, but for all those who believed in me and for all those who suffered with me.
“I will keep going until one day I can give you all this love back and be the pride of my Moroccan people.”
Diaz was a standout performer in the competition, scoring five goals for Morocco on their run to the final, more than anyone else in the tournament. He was awarded the Golden Boot.
