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Nigerian international Alex Iwobi has called on Moroccan football fans to show forgiveness and understanding toward Brahim Diaz following the attacker’s penalty miss in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.
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Morocco suffered a narrow defeat to Senegal in the final, with Diaz’s missed spot-kick proving to be a decisive moment in the closely contested encounter.
Diaz faces backlash from Supporters
Following the loss, Diaz became the target of intense criticism from sections of the Moroccan public. Social media platforms were flooded with negative reactions, as frustrated fans blamed the forward for the Atlas Lions’ failure to secure the continental title.
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The backlash has placed pressure on the player, overshadowing what many observers described as an otherwise outstanding tournament performance.
What Iwobi said
Reacting to the situation, Iwobi urged fans to remember the unpredictable nature of football and to judge Diaz beyond a single moment.
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“Hello Moroccan fans, I hope you will forgive Brahim Diaz after he missed the penalty kick,” the Super Eagles midfielder said.
He added, “It’s just football; he has had a fantastic performance in the tournament.”
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Despite the costly miss, Brahim Diaz was one of Morocco’s standout performers throughout the competition.
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