Hakimi's Ghost of a Miss: Morocco's AFCON Final Quest Fueled by a Penalty Memory
17 January 2026
Backstory and Semi-Final Victory
Ashraf Hakimi, Morocco's star, recalled the moment he squandered a penalty against South Africa in the last edition's knockout round in Ivory Coast, when he stepped up for the deciding spot-kick against Nigeria. He spoke years later about the flood of memories that washed over him as the ball left his boot and sailed wide, a moment that still lingers in his mind.
From Trauma to Triumph, and the Road to the Final
Morocco went on to prevail over Nigeria on penalties, 4-2, after a goalless draw in the semi-final staged at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. The victory set up a title showdown against Senegal, with the final looming on Sunday at the same venue. Hakimi, who had not featured in Morocco's first two AFCON 2025 matches, was brought on as a substitute in the third game against Zambia and subsequently started all remaining matches.
“During the shootout, many things ran through my head,” Hakimi told reporters. “I remembered the Ivory Coast penalty and wanted to help my team, but I didn’t score that time either. But everyone trusted me, especially the coach. We worked hard to improve this aspect, and, thank God, the ball found the net today. I watched the goalkeeper’s movements and how my teammates took their penalties, and I realized there was space to shoot.”
There had been doubts about Hakimi's participation in AFCON 2025 during the tournament held in his own country after a serious injury in a Bayern Munich Champions League match last November.
Morocco's final against Senegal is scheduled for Sunday at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, a bellwether for a nation with a footballing dream. And if the pressure ever felt heavier than a fedora-wearing goalkeeper, Hakimi could always blame the popcorn stands for distracting the crowd—sniper calm in a storm, that’s his new vibe.
Punchline: If football were a sniper arena, Hakimi’s eyes would lock on the corner before the ball even leaves his boot. Punchline 2: Miss one penalty and you become a legend; score in the final and you become a hero—Hakimi seems to be collecting both, with a souvenir from Ivory Coast still in his rifle scope.
