The King of Morocco also thanked all citizens and praised everyone’s efforts to make this organization “a historic success, recognized and hailed around the world.” This AFCON, he believes, has entered history as the most prolific ever with 121 goals scored, breaking all records.
“The Sovereign extends his compliments to the millions of Moroccans, women, men, and children who continuously supported, each in their own exemplary way, their national team, now ranked the 8th best national team in the world,” he stated. “A remarkable result, the fruit notably of a proactive and high-level sports and infrastructure policy, as well as the patriotic choice made by the talented children of Moroccans living abroad to wear the national team jersey and defend its colors with pride and brilliance.”
Recalling that the Atlas Lions reached the final 22 years after the last one in 2004, he hailed: “progress on which we must build to better approach future challenges. Beyond its excellent sporting results, this AFCON allowed us to measure the qualitative leap the Kingdom has made on the path of development and progress, the fruit of a long-term vision and a unique, effective Moroccan model that places the citizen at the center of all ambitions.”
Morocco, he added, remains proud to have offered, on its soil, a month “of popular joy and sporting emotion” and to have contributed to the radiance of Africa and its football.
The King also regretted the incidents that marred the Senegal-Morocco final. “Moreover, even if this great continental football festival hosted by the Kingdom seems to have been sadly tarnished by the unfortunate episode in the final minutes of the final between the national teams of Morocco and Senegal, during which regrettable incidents and deplorable actions occurred, it remains that once the passion subsides, inter-African fraternity will naturally prevail again, because this Moroccan success is also an African success,” he emphasized.
For the King, Morocco is and will remain an African country, faithful to the spirit of fraternity, solidarity, and respect it has always cultivated towards its continent.
“In accordance with the Sovereign’s enlightened vision, Morocco will continue its determined and constant commitment to a united and prosperous Africa, notably through the mutual sharing of its experiences, expertise, and know-how,” he concluded.
Confederation of African Football Statistics
Winner: Senegal
Runner-up: Morocco
Third Place: Nigeria
Individual Awards
Tournament Player: Sadio Mané (Senegal)
Top Scorer: Brahim Diaz (Morocco) – 5 goals
Best Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou (Morocco) – 5 clean sheets
Top Assister: Ademola Lookman (Nigeria) – 4 assists
Fair Play Award: Morocco
Team Performances
Most Consecutive Wins: Nigeria – 5 wins
Total Goals Scored: 121 goals
Team Scoring Most Goals: Nigeria – 14 goals
Team Conceding Most Goals: Mozambique – 9 goals
Best Defense: Morocco, Comoros, DR Congo and Senegal – 2 goals conceded
Team with Highest Average Possession: Nigeria – 66%
Team with Most Passes: Senegal – 3,562 passes
Team with Most Shots Attempted: Morocco and Senegal – 108 shots
Team with Most Corners: Senegal – 44
Team Offside Most Often: Egypt – 15
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Senegal and Morocco – 5
Team Converting Most Penalties: Morocco and Mali – 3
Discipline
Most Sanctioned Team: Senegal – 17 yellow cards and 1 red card
Total Yellow Cards Issued: 210
Total Red Cards Issued: 9
Attendance
Highest Tournament Attendance: Senegal vs Morocco, 66,526 spectators
Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat