Moroccan Defender Romain Saiss Reveals His Thoughts Before Brahim Diaz's Panenka Penalty in AFCON 2025 Final
Moroccan defender Romain Saiss has disclosed what he said before Brahim Diaz took the failed Panenka penalty during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final on January 18, 2026. The match, which ended in chaos, saw Senegal secure their second continental trophy after a dramatic extra-time victory.
Chaotic AFCON 2025 Final Unfolds
Senegal and Morocco played a chaotic AFCON 2025 final that lasted 120 minutes, culminating in the Teranga Lions earning their second star. The final descended into turmoil after Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty, minutes after disallowing a Senegal goal. In protest, Senegal's coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players to leave the pitch, leading to a 17-minute stoppage before play resumed.
Sadio Mane intervened by speaking to former players Mamadou Niang, Claude Le Roy, and El Hadji Diouf, then appealed to his teammates to return and complete the match. Diaz missed the penalty after attempting a Panenka, which Senegalese goalkeeper Édouard Mendy easily saved, forcing the match into extra time.
Pape Gueye scored a stunning goal in the fourth minute of extra time, and Senegal held on to beat the host nation and claim the AFCON trophy.
Saiss Reacts to Diaz's Penalty Decision
Diaz's choice of a Panenka penalty in such a high-stakes moment left the football world bewildered, as a direct approach might have secured victory. Former captain Romain Saiss, during an interview with Colininterview, opened up about his thoughts when he spotted his teammate going for the Panenka.
"When he went for the panenka, I thought: you cannot do that now," he said, as quoted by Foot Africa. The former Wolverhampton Wanderers defender emphasized that the stakes were incredibly high, with Morocco having waited for an AFCON trophy since 1976.
"I thought he was going to smash it straight down the middle—thank you, goodbye, we lift the trophy and go celebrate," he added. "Since that moment, and even now, I feel empty."
Despite his disappointment, Saiss refused to hold it against Diaz, admitting that he does not believe the Real Madrid star intentionally sabotaged the team. "He could have been the hero, but he wanted to be the superhero," he concluded.
Aftermath and Consequences
Saiss announced his retirement from the national team shortly after AFCON 2025, following 14 years and 86 caps for the Atlas Lions. In the aftermath of the final incident, the Confederation of African Football sanctioned both Senegal and Morocco, imposing suspensions and fines on players and staff.
Additionally, footage revealed that Morocco's head coach Walid Regragui was visibly incensed after Diaz's penalty miss, questioning why the player opted for a fancy style instead of a direct approach. This moment added to the lingering tensions from the match.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final will be remembered for its dramatic twists, with Saiss's revelations shedding light on the internal emotions and decisions that shaped this historic event in African football.
