Late missed penalties have repeatedly been Morocco’s downfall at recent AFCON tournaments
Morocco’s recent Africa Cup of Nations exits share a clear and painful theme, with missed penalties in decisive moments repeatedly ending their hopes just when qualification or silverware was within reach. Brahim Díaz‘s failed Panenka attempt in injury time of Sunday’s final against Senegal may have been Morocco’s most high-profile penalty miss in their history, but it was not the only recent failed spot-kick in a critical moment, by a pivotal player.
The pattern first started taking shape at the 2019 AFCON tournament in Egypt, where Morocco entered the round of 16 with momentum but left in disbelief.
AFCON 2019: Three missed penalties
Facing Benin in Cairo, the match unfolded chaotically and drifted into stoppage time with the scores level. In the 96th minute, Hakim Ziyech had the chance to decide the tie from the penalty spot.
Instead, his effort struck the post, turning what should have been a moment of celebration into one of shock.
That miss changed everything. Even after Benin were reduced to ten men in extra time following Khaled Adenon’s dismissal, Morocco could not recover their composure. The contest moved to penalties, where the damage deepened.
Sofiane Boufal and Youssef En Nesyri both failed from the spot, while Benin were flawless.
Olivier Verdon, David Djigla and Tidjani Anaane converted their attempts before Mama Seibou sealed a historic shootout win at the Al Salam Stadium, sending Benin through and leaving Morocco eliminated far earlier than expected.
AFCON 2023: Deja vu in the knockout stage
The, in the 2023 AFCON, the same feeling returned. Once again in the round of 16, Morocco found themselves chasing a game, this time against South Africa.
Evidence Makgopa’s 57th minute goal put Bafana Bafana ahead, but Morocco were handed a lifeline when Mothobi Mvala was penalised for handball late in the match.
Achraf Hakimi stepped forward in the 85th minute with the chance to level the score and rescue the tournament. The outcome was painfully familiar, as his penalty crashed against the crossbar and stayed out. What followed was a rapid collapse.
Former Manchester United midfielder Sofyan Amrabat was sent off in stoppage time, and moments later Teboho Mokoena curled a superb free kick past Bono to complete a shock 2–0 victory for South Africa, ending Morocco’s campaign once again at the first knockout hurdle.
Despite missing a penalty in the final, Brahim Díaz claims the Golden Boot at AFCON 2025 👏🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/vgWmH3NcAI
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) January 19, 2026
AFCON 2025: Brahim Díaz misses golden opportunity
If those eliminations were damaging, the deepest wound came in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final. Morocco had reached the last match with belief that this time the story might change. Instead, the penalty spot returned to decide their fate.
Deep into stoppage time, Morocco were awarded a penalty that could have won them the trophy. Brahim Díaz, then a key figure for both club and country, chose to attempt a Panenka.
Facing former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, Díaz chipped the ball down the middle, but Mendy read it calmly and caught the effort. Extra time followed, but Morocco never fully recovered from the emotional blow and eventually lost 1–0.
At full time, Díaz was left in tears, fully aware that a single moment had cost his country the Africa Cup of Nations title.