Rabat, Morocco - The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between host nation Morocco and Senegal concluded in a dramatic 1-0 victory for Senegal after extra time, but the aftermath has been dominated by controversy and strong reactions, most notably from Morocco's coach, Walid Regragui. Regragui didn't hold back in his assessment of the scenes that unfolded during the match, particularly the events surrounding a late penalty awarded to Morocco.

The pivotal moment arrived in the 95th minute when Morocco's Brahim Díaz went down in the penalty area after contact with Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf. Referee Jean-Jacques Ngambo Ndala initially waved play on, but after a VAR review, a penalty was awarded. This decision ignited a firestorm of protest from the Senegalese players, who felt aggrieved by the call. In an unprecedented move, the entire Senegal team walked off the pitch in protest, causing a lengthy delay of nearly 20 minutes.

Regragui expressed his disappointment and concern over the image portrayed to the world. "The image we gave of African football was rather shameful," he stated, lamenting the extended stoppage that occurred with a global audience watching. He further criticized Senegal's coach, Pape Thiaw, for his role in the walk-off, stating, "A coach who asks his players to leave the pitch... What he did doesn't honor Africa".

Adding to the drama, Brahim Díaz, with the opportunity to win the title for Morocco, missed the penalty. His attempted Panenka chip was easily saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Regragui acknowledged the miss was a blow, stating Diaz "had a lot of time before taking the penalty which must have disturbed him," but also emphasized the need to move forward.

Senegal capitalized on the missed opportunity, with Pape Gueye scoring a stunning goal in extra time to secure the victory for his team. Despite the loss, Regragui congratulated Senegal but voiced his disappointment, especially considering the events surrounding the penalty award. "We are really disappointed for all the Moroccan people," he said. "When you get a penalty in the last minute, you can see victory very close, but in the end football catches up with you".

The match official's decisions have sparked debate. The disallowing of a Senegal goal in stoppage time, prior to the penalty incident, added to the sense of injustice felt by the Senegalese team.

Regragui also expressed concern for striker Hamza Igamane, fearing a potential ACL injury. Despite the defeat and the controversies, Morocco's King Mohammed VI congratulated the team for their performance. Regragui, who himself played in the 2004 AFCON final, acknowledged the cruelty of football, noting the missed opportunity to claim the title in front of their home fans. "We have missed the chance of a lifetime," he said.