Rabat — In a dramatic 3–2 comeback that secured Nigeria the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title, officiating decisions — particularly those involving video assistant referee (VAR) — have left Moroccan fans, players, and critics questioning the fairness of the match.
The first controversial moment came in the 63rd minute when Nigeria was awarded a penalty. VAR determined that Moroccan defender Nouhaila Benzina handled the ball inside the box, although the ball struck near her body, raising concerns that the call was excessively harsh.
Soon after, Nigeria’s Esther Okoronkwo calmly converted as Morocco’s fans loudly protested.
Several minutes later, Morocco appeared poised to restore their two-goal cushion. A handball by Nigeria’s Oluwatosin Demehin inside the box initially prompted the referee to award Morocco a penalty. But after a lengthy VAR review, the decision was overturned.
Moroccan players and supporters voiced deep frustration over what many describe as a clear handball being dismissed.
Referee team and context
The match was officiated by Namibian referee Antsino Twanyanyukwa, marking the first time a Namibian officiated a WAFCON final.
Twanyanyukwa was supported by assistants Alice Umutesi, from Rwanda, and Tabara Mbodji, from Senegal, with the VAR led by Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga — an all-women officiating team hailed by CAF for demonstrating the continent’s increasing investment in female officials.
Despite the symbolic significance, several decisions turned the tide of the match in Nigeria’s favor and left the hosts feeling wronged.
Reactions and mounting criticism
Local media and fan circles described the overturning of Morocco’s penalty as “scandalous” and “one of several serious refereeing errors” against the home side. Discussions sparked across social media and football analysis communities.
Moroccan sports analysts argued that VAR, meant to ensure fairness, instead fuelled controversy by overruling what they saw as key decisions in the final results of the match.
Many believe these actions may have fundamentally altered the outcome of Morocco’s bid for a first WAFCON title on home ground.
Monsif, a social media football commentator, lamented the referee’s call, saying: “Today, the Moroccan women’s national team has faced the greatest injustice.”
One fan echoed this sentiment, on social media, saying: “There is a need to reconsider African refereeing, which spoils all African sporting competitions, or opt for referees from Europe.”
From commanding lead to crushing defeat
As for the match, Morocco had dominated the first half, with goals from Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaa Mssoudy giving them a seemingly solid 2–0 advantage.
However, Nigeria responded with urgency after halftime.
Following the disputed penalty, they equalized through Ijamilusi and ultimately secured victory with an 88th-minute strike from substitute Jennifer Echegini, set up by Okoronkwo’s free-kick.
While the Super Falcons celebrated “Mission X,” critics argue that officiating decisions overshadowed Morocco’s confident start and well-deserved performance on home soil.
Discussions on CAF corruption reignited
The focus on refereeing in the WAFCON 2024 final comes amid growing scrutiny of the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) internal governance.
A series of controversies surrounding CAF have previously been reported, from allegations of financial irregularities to accusations of interference and lack of accountability.
In 2019, cases involving CAF leadership in which funds have gone unaccounted for. CAF’s decision‑making structures have also surfaced, with factors that feed a climate of distrust whenever controversial calls emerge in high‑profile matches.
These broader concerns explain why Moroccan fans view the WAFCON final’s disputed VAR interventions not just as isolated match errors but as part of a systemic pattern.
As CAF continues to face calls for greater transparency, critics argue the organization must go beyond symbolic gestures and appoint independent audit mechanisms, open up financial reporting, and ensure neutrality in officiating assignments.
Without structural reforms, even well‑intentioned technological tools like VAR risk deepening frustration rather than delivering fairness.
