Khaberni - Walid Regragui, coach of the Moroccan national team, appeared affected and angry, following the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final between his country and Senegal, a dramatic match that ended with the crowning of "the Lions of Teranga" and a big disappointment for the host country.
After the game, Regragui spoke to the French channel M6, congratulating Senegal on their title, but at the same time expressed his deep dissatisfaction with the atmosphere that surrounded the match, especially in its final minutes.
Regragui said: "We feel a great disappointment for the Moroccan public. When you get a penalty in the last minute, you see victory very close, but football comes back to punish you in the end. This is unfortunate, but the players will return stronger."
The coach of the "Atlas Lions" did not hide his annoyance from the chaotic scene that accompanied the controversial penalty, which Ibrahim Diaz missed in a "Panenka" style, considering that what happened does not suit the image of the tournament or African football in general.
He added clearly: "We congratulate Senegal, but the image we presented today about African football was disappointing, with everything that happened at the moment the penalty was awarded. Since the beginning of the tournament, the atmosphere was unhealthy, and this is unfortunate."
Regragui concluded his remarks by affirming that the Moroccan national team will continue to work despite the frustration, saying that Morocco "will come back stronger," in reference to turning the page on controversy and focusing on the future.
Regragui's remarks come in the context of a tournament that witnessed widespread debate about refereeing, not limited only to the final match, but extended to several matches during the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, opening the door for more discussion about match management in the African continent.
