Super Eagles and Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi has sent some words of consolation to Morocco and Real Madrid Brahim Diaz, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 29-year-old was one of Nigeria’s top performers in Morocco, making over 60 line-breaking passes in six games for Eric Chelle’s men, the most of any player in the tournament.
Diaz took the AFCON tournament by storm, scoring five goals in Morocco’s run to the final against Pape Thiaw’s Senegal.
Both sides went at each other, but chaos ensued in the closing minutes of regular time. Malick Diouf held Brahim Diaz when a Moroccan corner kick went in, and the Real Madrid winger fell.
The referee initially ignored play, but upon further pressing from the Atlas Lions, consulted the VAR before pointing to the spot.
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The Senegalese players protested the decision before unilaterally deciding to walk off the pitch, heralded by their head coach. However, Sadio Mane pleaded with his teammates to finish the game honourably, and twelve minutes later, Brahim Diaz stepped on to take the penalty.
The former Manchester City attacking midfielder opted for a Panenka attempt, but the ball walked straight into Edouard Mendy’s arms, and Diaz buried his head into his arms.
The game went from bad to worse for Diaz as Pape Sarr scored the game’s only goal six minutes into extra time, and there was no chance for a respite as he was taken off six minutes later.
Alex Iwobi sends a message to Brahim Diaz following the AFCON final loss
Nigeria lost the semis on penalties to Morocco, but Iwobi took one and scored in the third-place clash against Egypt.
Speaking on his AFCON Diaries series, the former Arsenal midfielder sent some words of encouragement towards Diaz, while congratulating Senegal.
“Shout out to Senegal, they deserved the win, AFCON was memorable, it’s an honour to represent my country, amazing to get the bronze
“Shout out to Brahim Diaz as well, of course, he’ll be going through a lot right now.
“I mean, to take the penalty the way he did, if he scored, he would’ve been a hero, it’s just the fact that he didn’t
“Please, allow him, it’s football, but my message to him is what’s done is done. He’s had a good tournament. Do your thing in your club
“Obviously, it’s hard to forget these moments; there’s always another opportunity,” Alex Iwobi concluded.
Sadio Mane was the AFCON 2025 player of the tournament, while Brahim Diaz was the golden boot winner.