Former South African star Teko Modise has launched a blistering critique of Brahim Diaz following the Moroccan attacker’s failed penalty in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final. Modise suggested that Diaz’s decision to attempt a “Panenka” chip during the final seconds of regulation time showed a lack of respect for his teammates and his nation’s history.
The incident occurred in the 97th minute after a VAR review and a lengthy protest by the Senegalese team had already pushed tensions to a breaking point. Instead of securing Morocco’s first continental title in 50 years, Diaz delivered a weak effort that Edouard Mendy easily saved.
The missed opportunity allowed Senegal to reset and eventually clinch a 1-0 victory in extra time through a powerful Pape Gueye strike. Modise, speaking as an analyst on SuperSport, emphasized that while players often miss penalties, the manner of Diaz’s failure remains inexcusable given the stakes. He argued that the Real Madrid player had not even performed well during the match but received the ball because his superstar teammates trusted him to make history. Modise claimed that such an act of individual vanity during a championship-defining moment would lead him to sever all ties with a teammate.
The Atlas Lions had dominated much of the narrative throughout the tournament, especially with Diaz leading the scoring charts. However, his failure to replicate his earlier clinical form from the spot—having successfully used his right foot to score a penalty earlier in the competition—ultimately cost the hosts the trophy. Senegal capitalized on the emotional collapse of the Moroccan side to retain their status as kings of African football, leaving the home fans in Rabat in total disbelief.
Modise expressed his outrage on SuperSport: “You need to assume, like you’re rightfully saying, that people do analysis and see what type of penalties you normally take. But also, when you are in this moment, when you are five goals in and you are playing at home you can do that but you guys haven’t won the trophy for the last 50 years, and you were the most standout player in this situation.
You want to write new history within your national team, you have such a big moment where you are surrounded by superstars but they are willing to give you the ball to actually take the penalty. You didn’t deserve it because you didn’t have a good game, but they’re willing to give you the ball to actually go and take the penalty, and then you do that?
You know, seconds away from the game to end? That for me, I will never, if you’re my teammate, we are not talking to each other again. No conversations, in the bus, in the dressing room, wherever. The thing is, those who have taken penalties before they missed the penalty. It’s how you miss the penalty like a few seconds to go then you’re the champions, and you do that? You expect a handshake? You won’t shake this hand. And he had a penalty early on into the tournament where he scored. He used his right foot to score the penalty.”
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