Senegal’s Iliman Ndiaye has said a missed panenka by Morocco’s Brahim Diaz during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final proved to be a decisive psychological moment that swung the match in Senegal’s favour.
Speaking about the incident, Ndiaye admitted he remains affected by what he perceived as a show of arrogance at a critical stage of the final, insisting it galvanised the Lions of Teranga and sharpened their belief that victory was inevitable.
The Everton forward explained that the failed spot-kick, attempted with a casual panenka style, acted as a turning point rather than a setback for Senegal, injecting fresh motivation into his side at a time when the pressure of the occasion was at its peak.
“I felt there was a lack of respect. I’m not saying he meant to disrespect us, but it was either that, or he wanted to act like a star.
You were minutes away from becoming king in your own country… I don’t understand why he did that, but I’m glad he did. After that, we knew we were going to win.”
Ndiaye suggested the moment changed the emotional balance of the match, with Senegal interpreting the miss as a sign of complacency from their opponents.
According to the midfielder, the reaction within the Senegal camp was immediate, as players used the moment to refocus and raise their intensity.
The final had been finely poised before the penalty miss, with both sides battling for control in a tense contest.
Ndiaye said the psychological impact of the moment was just as significant as any tactical adjustment, reinforcing Senegal’s belief that the match was swinging their way.
That belief was ultimately rewarded in extra time, when Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal to secure victory for Senegal and crown them champions of Africa. Ndiaye described the goal as the natural conclusion of a shift in momentum that had begun with the missed penalty.
While Ndiaye acknowledged that Diaz may not have intended any disrespect, he maintained that such gestures can carry heavy consequences at the highest level, particularly in a final of such magnitude.
He stressed that small moments can define careers and tournaments alike.
The Senegal international said the episode remains vivid in his mind, not out of bitterness, but because it underlined the importance of humility and focus on football’s biggest stages.
