• Regarding the refereeing controversy, Salami emphasized that refereeing errors are part of football even in the top global tournaments, warning that excessive protest often negatively affects the players before the referees.

Moroccan coach Jamal Salami considered that the way the Moroccan national team players handled the penalty in the decisive moments was the main reason behind the loss to Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations final, stressing that the mental factor outweighed any other technical details in the match.

Salami explained, in televised remarks, that major finals are not decided solely by physical preparation or tactical plans, but by the ability to manage critical moments, pointing out that the tension and protests preceding the penalty directly affected the focus of the player taking the kick, giving the Senegalese team a clear psychological advantage.

Salami praised the leadership role played by Senegal star and captain Sadio Mané, considering him the most crucial balancing element in the match, not only due to his technical abilities but also for his success in calming his teammates and restoring discipline on the field during a sensitive moment prone to disorder.

He added that the Senegalese team appeared more mentally prepared and handled the pressures of the final better, while the Moroccan team paid the price for a single moment of confusion, despite the strong performance they displayed throughout the tournament and the praise of the fans.

Regarding the refereeing controversy, Salami emphasized that refereeing errors are part of football even in the top global tournaments, warning that excessive protest often negatively affects the players before the referees.

Salami concluded his remarks by stressing that this loss, despite its harshness, carries important lessons for the Moroccan national team, most notably the need to control nerves and maintain mental readiness for decisive moments, because titles are not always decided by the most beautiful performance… but by the greatest calm.