Morocco's dream of winning a second Africa Cup of Nations on home soil has been shattered, extending their agonising wait for the title to half a century. The Atlas Lions fell to a dramatic 1-0 defeat against Senegal in a chaotic final in Rabat, sparking intense scrutiny of coach Walid Regragui despite his remarkable record.
Chaos and Controversy in Rabat
The 2025 Afcon final descended into extraordinary scenes deep into stoppage time. With the score goalless, Senegal had a goal controversially disallowed, before Morocco were awarded a penalty. The decision incensed the Senegalese team, led by coach Pape Thiaw, who instructed his players to walk off the pitch in protest.
After a lengthy delay, Moroccan star Brahim Díaz stepped up but saw his audacious Panenka penalty easily saved by the Senegalese goalkeeper. The match went to extra time, where Pape Gueye scored the winning goal in the 94th minute with a stunning left-footed strike, finally beating Morocco's heroic keeper Yassine Bounou.
Media and Public Backlash for Regragui
Despite leading Morocco to a historic World Cup semi-final in 2022 and now an Afcon final, Walid Regragui faced immediate calls for his resignation. Moroccan newspaper Le Matin pointedly noted that "Regragui didn't bring the Cup like he promised."
Outlets highlighted the coach's evasion when directly asked about his future in a tense post-match press conference. "The dream and the ambition will have to wait some time," lamented Abdelkader El-Aine in a piece for Le360.ma, which ran under the headline "There will be no second star for Morocco."
The criticism comes in stark contrast to Regragui's objective success. His three-year tenure is the most successful in modern Moroccan football history, yet the absence of silverware has left his position uncertain.
Individual Brilliance Overshadowed by Collective Pain
Morocco's campaign was built on a formidable defence, conceding just once in the group stage before Gueye's winner. Bounou was awarded the tournament's best goalkeeper, with other Atlas Lions winning the top scorer and fair play awards. As Hesport.com noted, "Senegal snatched the Afcon title but ... Morocco wins every other prize."
The focus, however, fell heavily on Brahim Díaz, whose missed penalty proved pivotal. The Real Madrid player publicly apologised to the Moroccan people for his failed attempt, a gesture widely reported across the nation's media.
For Senegal, the victory marks a historic second Afcon title, and their first under a Senegalese coach. Senegalese outlet RTS declared that "the Lions were stronger than that injustice," celebrating a win "acquired at the end of an intense final, marked by controversy."
For Morocco, the search for that elusive second star continues, the dream deferred for at least another two years while the inquest into this final heartache begins.
