Olaleye IDOWU
Former Super Eagles forward, Odion Ighalo has criticised Real Madrid and Morocco man, Brahim Díaz, for wasting a golden opportunity to hand his country the Africa Cup of Nations trophy on home soil.
Ighalo wondered why Diaz could decide to play with the emotions of millions of Moroccans, both those in the stadium and at home watching the game.
Diaz’s penalty miss was the last kick of the game, and it was so simple for Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to handle.
Many had thought the host nation had won the day when Diaz stepped out to take the penalty at the very final second of the game.
However, the Real Madrid man missed the penalty kick in a way that appeared strange to many football lovers, in trying to do a Panenka.
“And in this kind of game, it’s just one minute to finish the game. You don’t try this. Just have to hit it hard and win the game,” Ighalo said on SuperSport.
The miss gave the Senegalese the mental strength to come back stronger into the game and claim the trophy.
Pape Gueye stunned Morocco in the first half of extra time with a sublime left-footed finish, to ensure the West Africans emerged champions.
