AFCON 2025 final: 'This is disrespect'... Eliman Ndiaye criticizes Brahim Diaz

More than three weeks after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, Eliman Ndiaye delivers sharp criticism of Brahim Diaz for his missed Panenka penalty.

For years to come, Senegalese fans will remember the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, when their team was on the brink of defeat before Brahim Diaz squandered a penalty kick. That Panenka attempt will haunt the Moroccan Real Madrid star, and it still raises questions among Senegal’s champions like Eliman Ndiaye. The Senegalese midfielder wondered what prompted Diaz to go for such a move.

"I felt like it was a kind of disrespect. I’m not saying he meant to insult us, but either way, it was as if he wanted to show off and be the star after everything that just happened. I don’t know if I would have dared to try it or not. But you were just minutes away from becoming the hero of your country. They hadn’t won for so many years, and all you had to do was score that goal. I don’t understand why he did it, but I’m glad he did. I think after that moment, we knew we were going to win," he told The Times.

Joshua SOSSOU

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As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.