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AFCON 2023: Achraf Hakimi expresses heartfelt gratitude to Moroccans
Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi garnered attention for an unfortunate incident at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations hosted in Cote d’Ivoire.
In a crucial moment during the match, Hakimi stepped up to take a penalty with less than five minutes remaining, aiming to bring Morocco back into the game. However, his shot hit the crossbar, missing the opportunity to equalize. South Africa subsequently secured their victory by extending their lead during stoppage time, advancing to the quarterfinals.
Following the match, the 25-year-old expressed regret and apologized to his teammates and Moroccans worldwide for the missed penalty.
He said, “I want to apologise for the penalty, I took responsibility to help the team, but unfortunately it didn’t work. And what can I say about you my brother, Amine Adli. After everything you went through (loss of your mother), you came and gave everything for your country, we are so proud of you! I love you very much, my brother. Dima Maghrib! And good luck to the South African national team for the rest of the competition.”
Aujourd'hui est un jour très difficile et triste pour notre élimination. Je tiens à m'excuser pour le penalty, j'ai pris la responsabilité d'aider l'équipe, mais malheureusement cela n'a pas fonctionné. Je tiens à remercier tout le peuple marocain pour son soutien, en particulier… pic.twitter.com/Q9IP5FMYXY
— Achraf Hakimi (@AchrafHakimi) January 31, 2024
Morocco was among the teams that many sports pundits and football enthusiasts had high expectations for in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, particularly considering their impressive performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The team entered the competition with anticipation and hopes for a strong showing, but the unexpected turn of events, including the missed penalty by Achraf Hakimi, led to their elimination from the tournament. Such outcomes in football can be unpredictable, and despite the initial optimism, the journey in the Africa Cup of Nations took an unfortunate turn for Morocco.