Former Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo has criticized Brahim Diaz, the Morocco and Real Madrid forward, for his unsuccessful Panenka penalty that prevented the host nation from winning the Africa Cup of Nations title.
Ighalo stated that Diaz toyed with the emotions of millions of Moroccans, both in the stadium and at home, by attempting a risky penalty at such a critical juncture.
The ex-Nigeria international made these remarks after Diaz missed a crucial late penalty in the AFCON final against Senegal.
This penalty was the last chance of the match and could have secured victory for Morocco.
Instead, Diaz opted for a soft Panenka shot, which was easily saved by Senegal’s goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy.
In an interview on SuperSport, Ighalo questioned Diaz’s choice, asserting that such a tactic was inappropriate for a match of this significance.
He emphasized that with less than a minute remaining, the only sensible option was to strike the ball firmly to ensure the win, rather than trying to be flashy.
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The missed penalty gave Senegal a boost in confidence, allowing them to regroup and intensify their efforts in extra time.
Senegal ultimately surprised the home crowd when Pape Gueye scored a stunning left-footed goal in extra time, leading the West African team to a 1-0 victory and the AFCON trophy.
