After days of heated debate over the Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco, Senegal international Malick Diouf, who plays for West Ham United, has finally spoken about the controversial night that changed his life and ignited a storm in African football.
The final, which saw Senegal crowned champions, turned into one of the most debated matches in AFCON history after the referee awarded Morocco a late penalty following Diouf’s challenge on Brahim Diaz inside the box.
Diouf admitted the game felt “crazy”, saying it went far beyond a normal final because of the intensity of the incidents, the pressure from the stands and the emotional weight of every refereeing decision.
He revealed he felt genuine anxiety when the penalty was given, not only because of the risk of losing the title, but also due to the suffocating psychological pressure on both teams in front of a massive crowd.
When Diaz missed the penalty, Diouf felt the momentum swing sharply towards Senegal, while doubt crept into Moroccan minds. He reflected that overthinking in such decisive moments can destroy a player’s composure, especially in finals that are decided by tiny details.
His words have revived the wider debate on refereeing, home advantage, crowd influence and individual responsibility, with Diouf insisting that football can never be reduced to a single incident, no matter how painful, but must be seen as a long journey of performance, discipline and resilience under pressure.
