Cairo (AFP)

No hat trick for Hervé Renard, near the exit, no crowning for his star Hakim Ziyech, criticized ... The defeat in 8th against Benin Friday (1-1 ap, 4-1 on the tab) put an abrupt end to the dreams of Morocco, the first major nation eliminated from the CAN.

. A "shameful" defeat

Driven by the illusions born of a perfect first phase - 3 wins, 0 goal conceded - Morocco fell from high. In the streets of Rabat, the end of the match, followed in all the cafés of the capital, was greeted with shouts of bitterness, frustration and disappointment.

The local press spoke of a "shameful", unqualified "or" scandalous "defeat against the modest Beninese, who had never beaten the Moroccans in their history.The scenario gives them reason: Ziyech missed a penalty in the 92nd minute, then the Atlas Lions played in numerical superiority for much of the overtime.

"It's a big, big, big disappointment, we were hoping to go further, we are all very disappointed to go out today, especially for Moroccans," said Sofiane Boufal.

"There is no explanation, it's hard to swallow, we've had chances, we've had the penalty kick, there's been a lot of stuff ... That's hard, no explanation", added Yunis Abdelhamid. No explanation, according to the Reims defender, but serious consequences for his coach.

. Fox, almost the end

It's not a farewell speech, but it looks a lot like it. "The one who has to assume today is me.You can shoot me," said Hervé Renard to protect his group. "With disappointment and the days that go by, everyone will make the decisions they have to take in their soul and conscience."

"I want to tell the players that I love them and that we must remember only the best of our adventure," he later wrote on social networks.

Named in 2016, the French technician, twice winner of the CAN, failed to report the trophy that Morocco has been waiting for since 1976. After the fall at the last minute of the quarter in 2017, the elimination on penalties against the Squirrels sounds like the end of his mission, without glory.

But he will also remain like the one who brought Morocco back to the World Cup after twenty years of absence.

While rumors of his departure were circulating weeks before the start of the tournament, Renard certainly had his last match on the Atlas Lions bench. The presence of star Hakim Ziyech, absent in 2017, let him see a happy ending. But his player disappointed.

. Ziyech, the missed opportunity

He was to bring Morocco to the top, after a successful season with Ajax Amsterdam. But Hakim Ziyech today symbolizes the failure of the Renard project.

Not in rhythm during the group phase, the talented attacking midfielder completely missed his appointment against Benin which was to allow him to show that he had the shoulders to lead his selection. He missed the penalty in the 92nd minute that could qualify his team for quarterbacks.

"He was very good during the preparation phase, he was worse during the group stage and a little less well tonight (Friday)," said his coach.

The site alyaoum24 points to the "responsibility" of the player, when the 360.ma title "Ziyech kill me". "His CAN turned into a nightmare, he did not live up to it, far from it," writes the online media.

He is also the face of the mental bankruptcy of executives, criticized for allowing the youngest to stick to the perilous exercise of penalties. One of the most sought-after market values, the Moroccan N.7 should quickly rebound into a new club next season. Waiting to shine with his country.

? 2019 AFP