Morocco fitness coach opens up on Brahim Diaz’s agony after AFCON final heartbreak

The painful aftermath of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final defeat continues to linger, with Morocco’s fitness coach Eduardo Dominguez revealing just how deeply Brahim Díaz was affected by his missed penalty on the biggest stage.

Díaz attempted an audacious panenka during the decisive penalty, but the effort failed to find the net, crushing Morocco’s hopes of lifting the continental title.

Speaking to El Larguero, Dominguez described the moment as overwhelmingly painful.

“So intense and painful that I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy,” he said, reflecting on the emotional toll it took on the player and the squad.

According to the coach, the atmosphere after the final whistle was heavy with silence and disbelief. Players withdrew quietly to their rooms, each grappling with the shock in their own way.

“Nobody knew what would happen next,” Dominguez explained, adding that his final image of Díaz was at the airport, visibly shaken and struggling to process the enormity of the moment.

Dominguez acknowledged that in situations like that, there is little anyone can say to ease the burden.

“There’s not much you can say to someone carrying that weight in his mind,” he admitted, underlining the psychological strain that accompanies such high-stakes moments.

The missed spot kick quickly became one of the defining images of the tournament. Morocco had mounted an impressive campaign, with Díaz emerging as their talisman.

The forward netted five goals and played a pivotal role in guiding the Atlas Lions to their first final appearance since 2004. The occasion carried historic significance, as Morocco sought to end a 50-year wait for continental glory, having last won the trophy in 1976.

Díaz’s decision to execute a delicate panenka, a technique that demands precision and composure, ultimately backfired at the worst possible time. For a nation that believed destiny was within reach, the miss symbolised heartbreak.

Still, the disappointment did not overshadow Díaz’s overall brilliance. His five goals and commanding displays placed him among the tournament’s standout performers. Morocco’s remarkable 32-match unbeaten run under head coach Walid Regragui added even greater anticipation to the final, making the defeat all the more dramatic.

Beyond the missed penalty, the final was also marred by controversy. The clash was overshadowed by chaos involving the Senegal national football team, who walked off the pitch after a VAR-confirmed decision. The disorder that followed, including acts of vandalism by supporters, has continued to generate headlines.

Moroccan courts have since delivered verdicts against 18 detained supporters, handing down prison sentences ranging from three months to one year. Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football sanctioned Senegal head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw with a five-match suspension and imposed a 100,000-dollar fine.