Morocco boss Regragui bemoans 'disappointing image'
Morocco coach Walid Regragui rued the "disappointing image" of African football during his side's dramatic AFCON final defeat to Senegal, while bemoaning the "unhealthy" perception of his team throughout the tournament.
After Senegal saw Ismaila Sarr's stoppage-time goal harshly ruled out, the Lions of Teranga were ordered from the field by manager Pape Thiaw when the host nation was awarded a last-gasp penalty.
Yet, when play finally resumed just under 20 minutes later, Brahim Diaz's awful Panenka attempt was easily gathered by Edouard Mendy, before Pape Sarr's thumping strike in extra-time proved decisive.
"We are really disappointed for all the Moroccan people," Regragui said. "When you get a penalty in the last minute, you can see victory very close. But, in the end, football catches up with you.
"We congratulate Senegal, even if what we showed of African football was disappointing, given everything that happened when the penalty was awarded."
Morocco is the fourth host country to lose in the final of an Africa Cup of Nations, and only the second to do so after extra-time, after Tunisia in 1965.
The build-up to the showpiece was marred when the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) highlighted issues with its team's security, transport, accommodation and training arrangements in a statement directed at the tournament's organisers, the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Regragui was saddened by multiple suggestions of favourable treatment towards his side throughout the tournament.
"Well, since the beginning of the competition, it was unhealthy, it's a shame," he said. "We're going to congratulate [Senegal]. We're going to keep working. Morocco will come back stronger."
