Morocco’s defeat in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations continues to cast a long shadow, with midfielder Oussama Targhalline admitting he is still struggling to come to terms with a loss many at home consider painfully unfinished.
The Atlas Lions were beaten 1-0 after extra time by Senegal in the tournament decider, played on Moroccan soil, bringing an abrupt end to a month-long campaign that had raised hopes of a historic triumph.
For Targhalline, the sense of disappointment remains raw weeks on.
The 23-year-old featured four times during the competition but did not start a match, yet he found himself at the heart of one of the most dramatic moments of the final.
A controversial sequence of events unfolded after a Senegal goal was disallowed and Morocco were awarded a penalty.
In protest, Senegal’s players and coaching staff briefly left the pitch, leading to a stoppage in play and disorder in the stands as supporters attempted to enter the field.
Amid the tension and prolonged delay, Brahim Diaz stepped up to take the spot-kick in stoppage time, only for the opportunity to slip away.
Morocco failed to capitalise on the moment, and the match drifted into extra time, where Pape Gueye struck in the 94th minute to hand Senegal the trophy.
The circumstances have been difficult for Moroccan players and supporters to digest, none more so than Targhalline, who spoke candidly about the experience in an interview with FR12.nl.
“We had an incredible month, but it ended badly. (…) The relationships between us were very good, and the final feeling is mixed: good and bad. It’s good that we reached the final, but we wanted to win and keep the cup in Morocco.”
Morocco’s run to the final had been built on strong collective spirit and growing belief, fuelled by home support and expectations of success.
The defeat, however, has left a lingering sense of regret, particularly given how close the team came to deciding the match in normal time.
At club level, Targhalline has quickly refocused.
🗣️ Oussama Targhaline:
« On voulait remporter le trophée et le laisser au Maroc.
On a vécu un mois incroyable… mais ça s’est mal terminé. 🇲🇦😔 » pic.twitter.com/SX4kCsT02Q
— FRMF Xtra (@FRMFXtra) February 3, 2026
The midfielder, who won the U23 Africa Cup of Nations with Morocco in 2023, has become a regular presence for Feyenoord this season, making 22 appearances in all competitions, including 15 starts, with one goal and two assists to his name.
While the AFCON final remains a source of frustration, the experience appears to have strengthened his determination.
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Targhalline will hope that future opportunities with the national side allow him to turn lingering disappointment into redemption on the biggest stage.
