It’s an insult to Moroccans – Herve Renard slams Brahim Diaz’s penalty miss in AFCON final

Former Ivory Coast and Zambia coach Herve Renard has criticized attacker Brahim Diaz for his penalty miss during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal.

The match, held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium ended 1-0 in favour of the Taranga Lions of Senegal last Sunday, marking their second continental success.

Morocco were awarded a penalty in the final seconds of the match, which caused widespread protests and a walkout by Senegal, but the latter quickly returned to the field following Sadio Mane’s intervention.

Diaz missed Morocco’s penalty kick after executing it poorly in Panenka style, which Mendy easily saved.

Speaking to Le Parisien, Renard, who has two AFCON titles slammed the Real Madrid for costing Morocco the title.

“Missing a penalty kick is understandable, but in such cases I am strict, I do not soften or sympathize. It is an insult to an entire country and a people who have strived to achieve this success for fifty years.”

“To some extent, I had a similar experience in the Arab Cup against Morocco. One of my players, Abdullah Al-Hamdan, missed a Panenka penalty kick, and I asked him to accompany me to the press conference that followed the match and apologize to the fans. If that had happened in the African Cup of Nations final, I might have lost my temper.”

For the first time, Senegal has triumphed over the host nation after five previous attempts without a victory against the home team.

The Taranga Lions now hold the second-longest unbeaten run in the Africa Cup of Nations with 18 matches, after Egypt, who hold the record with 24 matches.

Meanwhile, the Atlas Lions has been absent from the podium in the Africa Cup of Nations for 50 years, since winning the title in 1976.