Walid Regragui has claimed Morocco should be regarded as champions of Africa, despite the controversy surrounding their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal and Brahim Diaz’s missed penalty.
The former Morocco manager has spoken publicly about the tournament and its disputed conclusion, saying the Atlas Lions were the best team in the competition and had done enough to win the trophy.
The final between Senegal and Morocco on 18 January 2026 has become one of the most contentious matches in African football. The quality of the two teams, the tense scenes at the end of the game, decisions made by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Senegal’s appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport have all contributed to the lasting controversy.
Regragui, who was dismissed as Morocco manager only weeks before the 2026 World Cup, said he believed Senegal had been worthy winners but insisted Morocco remained the champions.
“For us, we had a great tournament, we were one of the best teams or the best team, and we produced great matches,” he told 532 Off.
“As for the final, we will wait to see what the Court of Arbitration for Sport says. We could have won, just as our opponents could have won. For me, we reached the 90th minute and were awarded a penalty; if Brahim Diaz had scored it, we would have been crowned champions.
“For me, as a coach, we did everything to win the title. For me, I am an African champion, whether people like it or not.”
The final descended into chaos when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty in the closing seconds. Senegal left the field after the decision before later returning, while Brahim Diaz attempted a Panenka-style spot-kick.
The penalty was saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, keeping the match unresolved at that moment and adding to the drama surrounding the closing stages.
Regragui said he had not discussed the missed penalty directly with Brahim Diaz. Instead, he offered the player advice about dealing with the experience.
“I didn’t say anything to him. I simply told him once: ‘My son, what happened will teach you a lot and make you stronger as a player. You have to learn from every experience.’”
The former manager’s comments represent one of his few public reflections on the final since the match was played. While acknowledging that Senegal had a case to make, Regragui maintained that Morocco’s overall tournament performance and their efforts in the final justified his claim.
The dispute remains linked to the decisions taken after the match and Senegal’s legal challenge before the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Regragui said the outcome of that process would ultimately determine how the final is viewed, but for now he continues to regard himself as an African champion.