Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf has opened up about the emotional rollercoaster that accompanied his country’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumph.
The Teranga Lions shocked tournament hosts Morocco, edging them 1–0 after extra time thanks to a decisive strike from Pape Gueye, to secure their second AFCON title.
The dramatic final nearly swung in Morocco’s favour moments earlier when Brahim Díaz was awarded a penalty after Diouf was judged—following a VAR review—to have pulled him down during a corner kick.
However, the Real Madrid attacker squandered the opportunity, missing with an audacious Panenka attempt.
Reflecting on the incident, Diouf admitted he was overwhelmed by emotion as the match entered its closing stages.
“I was sad because I was thinking about the people, the Senegalese people, the fans, my family,” Diouf tells Sky Sports as he recalls his emotions.
“I don’t know how they were at that moment. Everyone was crying. At 98 minutes, you can’t give away a penalty.
“As a young player, it was not easy. But you know, God’s plan, nobody can change it,” he added.
The miss proved pivotal, allowing Senegal to regroup before Gueye’s extra-time winner sealed a memorable and hard-fought continental crown.
