Morocco forward Brahim Dias has posted a statement on social media after becoming public enemy number one after opting for a dangerous Panenka penalty in the dying moments of the AFCON final.
Brahim Dias saves a penalty in the AFCON final (Image: Getty)
Brahim Dias has directly apologized to Moroccan fans for the horrific penalty he gave his team in the African Cup of Nations final. Dias saw Edouard Mendy easily save Panenka’s shot in the dying moments of peacetime as Senegal continued to lift the trophy.
A controversial VAR decision gave the hosts a chance to win the final from the penalty spot in the 98th minute. But Dias squandered a big chance after the Senegalese players returned to the field after protesting the decision against El Hadji and Malik Diouf.
The Real Madrid forward tried to trick Mendy by gently chipping the ball into the center of the goal, but the goalkeeper stopped and easily caught the ball. The match went into extra time, and Senegal won 1-0 with Pape Gueye scoring a powerful shot into the corner of the goal.
Díaz’s poor shooting led some fans to speculate that he had deliberately tried to avoid scoring in solidarity with Senegal after referee Jean-Jacques Ndala controversially awarded him a spot-kick. The offer was retracted after the game, and Diaz apologized on social media on Monday.
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read more: Gianni Infantino confirms next steps in Senegal’s punishment statement following AFCON madnessread more: Sadio Mane praises AFCON final drama despite disciplinary verdict handed down to Senegal
He wrote, “Heartbroken. I dreamed of this title because of all the love you gave me, all the messages, all the support you gave me that made me feel like I wasn’t alone.”
“I fought with all my might and above all with all my heart. Yesterday I failed, and I take full responsibility and sincerely apologize. This wound will not heal easily, so it will be difficult to recover, but I will do my best.”
“Not for myself, but for everyone who believed in me and everyone who suffered with me. I will keep going until one day I can repay all this love and make the people of Morocco proud.”
Brahim Dias’ modest shot was effortlessly saved by Edouard Mendy (Image: Paul ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Morocco coach Walid Leglaghi defended Dias, suggesting that the long time between giving and receiving the penalty affected Dias. The match was delayed for about 17 minutes due to Senegal’s protests, but captain Sadio Mane eventually allowed everyone to continue.
“He must have been upset because he had a lot of time to take the penalty,” Leglaghi said. “But you can’t change what happened. That’s how he chose to take the penalty. We need to move on now.”
Dias was visibly distraught after the penalty and reportedly broke down in tears after apologizing to his Moroccan teammates in the locker room. However, DZfoot reported that some team executives were said to be furious and not forgiving him.
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