Morocco’s Heartbreak: Controversial Call Costs Atlas Lionesses AFCON Title

The Spanish technician attributed the defeat of his team to a refereeing decision that he considers decisive, while reaffirming his willingness to continue his project at the head of the Atlas Lionesses.

In his post-match analysis, Jorge Vilda expressed a feeling of frustration linked to the circumstances of the defeat. He directly blamed a specific fact of the game. "What, in my opinion, decided the result, is the obvious penalty that was not awarded to us, despite the use of video technology," he said. For the coach, this incident was a psychological turning point for his players: "It was a decisive and psychologically marked moment for the players. From there, the course of the match changed completely."

Beyond this refereeing decision, the coach insisted on the need to capitalize on this experience, although difficult. "The end was painful and cruel, but we have learned lessons from it, and we will come back stronger, with our heads held high," he said, considering that "what we experienced today will be a useful lesson for the future."

Regarding his future, Jorge Vilda confirmed his intention to continue his mission. While acknowledging that the time was not right for final decisions, he wanted to clarify his position: "I am determined to continue my journey and to successfully complete the project I have started with Morocco." This project includes an evolution of the squad, the coach having indicated that some players, due to their age, may not continue the adventure.

Finally, the coach drew an overall positive assessment of his team’s journey, highlighting the performance and mentality displayed. He noted that his players competed "on an equal footing" with an experienced Nigerian team and showed "a strong personality." The main acquisition of the tournament remains, according to him, the emergence of a new generation. "This edition has offered us young faces who have impressed everyone, and it is a real glimmer of hope," he concluded. "Of course, we lost the title, but we gained a team with a promising future."