Rabat: Morocco’s head coach Walid Regragui did not hide his frustration after the Africa Cup of Nations final, won Sunday in Rabat by Senegal (1-0 AET), acknowledging that football can sometimes be tough.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, Regragui expressed the difficulty of losing in such a high-stakes match, emphasizing the importance of capitalizing on scoring opportunities in a final. He described the game as balanced and acknowledged that the dynamics shifted during extra time. Despite the team’s organization and effort, they had to accept the result.

Regragui lamented the missed penalty in the final minute, which he believed turned the tide against Morocco. He noted that the national team had never been closer to winning an AFCON title, but remained optimistic about future prospects, promising that the group will return stronger and congratulating Senegal on their victory.

The coach highlighted the loss of player Igamane, who left the match due to a suspected cruciate ligament injury, potentially sidelining him for months. Regragui expressed hope for a less severe outcome following medical tests.

He also commented on the disruption during the match, mentioning that the suspension affected Diaz, the team’s primary penalty taker, and expressed disappointment at the lack of representation for African football during the final.