The Bitter Triumph of the Moroccan National Team

Since Wednesday evening, the decision of the CAF Appeals Committee to award the tournament to Morocco has shaken the world of football. Faced with this outcome, which Senegal intends to challenge before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the Moroccan Football Federation assures that its approach was solely aimed at applying the regulations, without succumbing to triumphalism.

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In an interview with Sudinfo, Nordin Jbari, a former Moroccan-born Red Devil and consultant, expresses his discomfort. "Morocco is a great kingdom, with a great team, and we will surely one day win this Africa Cup of Nations, and we don’t need to win it like this," he confides, convinced that the players share this sentiment.

The consultant points to the incompetence of the referee during the final, believing that he was overwhelmed by the scandalous dismissal of the Senegalese players. He deplores the lack of warnings upon their return to the pitch, which should have resulted in two red cards. This hesitation of several minutes may have pushed Diaz to overthink before attempting his Panenka penalty.

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While conceding that Senegal won on the green rectangle, Nordin Jbari regrets that this victory on paper reopens wounds and revives the jealousy of detractors. He castigates the CAF authorities, whom he considers incapable of taking their responsibilities.