“I Failed” – Brahim Diaz Opens Up After AFCON Penalty Miss Against Senegal

Morocco midfielder, Brahim Diaz, has apologized to his countrymen after missing a late penalty in the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday against Senegal.

With the game tied at 0-0, the player had attempted a Panenka shot, which was easily saved by Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, with the West African nation going ahead to win the game in extra time.

The 24-year-old, in a post via his 𝕏 account on Monday, has now taken full responsibility for the missed penalty, admitting that he failed the football fans in the country.

He acknowledged the pain of the missed penalty and the ultimate loss of the trophy

Reacting, in an emotional statement posted on X on Monday, Diaz accepted full responsibility for the miss and apologised to Moroccan fans.

“My soul hurts. I dreamed of this title thanks to all the love you all gave me, every message, every show of support that made me feel I wasn’t alone. I fought with everything I had, with my heart above all else.

“Yesterday I failed and I take full responsibility. I apologise from the bottom of my heart,” he wrote.

Diaz, who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for La Liga club Real Madrid, expressed hope that he can redeem himself in future matches.

“It will be hard for me to recover, because this wound doesn’t heal easily… but I will try. Not for myself, but for everyone who believed in me and for everyone who suffered with me.

“I will keep going forward until one day I can give you all this love back and become a source of pride for my Moroccan people,” Diaz added.