Hakimi on Penalty Shootout Against Nigeria: "At that moment, I remembered the penalty I missed in Ivory Coast"

Achraf Hakimi, the star of the Moroccan national team, recalled his missed penalty against South Africa in the Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 in Ivory Coast, as he stepped up to take a crucial penalty kick against Nigeria. This penalty contributed to the Atlas Lions' progression to the final of the current AFCON tournament.

In a media statement, Hakimi said: "'Always Morocco,' thank God. In that moment, many things went through my head, I won't deny it; I recalled many memories, and I remembered the penalty in Ivory Coast, when I wanted to help my team but unfortunately didn't score."

He continued: "Everyone gave me confidence, especially the coach, whom I thank. We worked a lot and I developed this aspect, and thank God the ball went in. I was watching the goalkeeper a little, how he was diving for my teammates' shots, then I saw there was space and it went in very well."

Morocco is scheduled to face Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations final this coming Sunday, starting at 8:00 PM (20:00 GMT+1), at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.