VAR Scandal Overshadows WAFCON 2024 Final as Morocco Questions Officiating
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. Tags: MorocconigeriarefereeingVARWAFCON 2024
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
20 minutes ago
- Morocco World
Ben Saddik vs Rigters: When and How to Watch Glory 103
Moroccan kickboxer Jamal Ben Saddik is set to make his return in the Last Heavyweight Standing tournament, facing Dutch fighter Levi Rigters in the Round of 16 at the main event of GLORY 103. The bout will take place on August 23 at Rotterdam Ahoy in the Netherlands. The two fighters were originally scheduled to meet in 2022, but the fight was cancelled after a clash between supporters. The fight will be available to watch on StarTimes Sports – which airs GLORY events across Africa – on DAZN, and on GLORY's official streaming channels. The winner will advance to the year-end grand finale of GLORY's Last Heavyweight Standing tournament. Ben Saddik, nicknamed 'The Goliath,' holds a professional record of 38 wins, 10 losses, and 29 KOs. He famously defeated heavyweight king Rico Verhoeven with a second-round TKO in his debut back in 2011. Jamal has overcome his own battles outside the ring. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2012 and underwent a serious five-hour operation in Belgium in March 2024. Now 34, Jamal stands 2.05m tall, weighs 117.5kg, and is the biggest active fighter on the GLORY roster—rivalled only by former heavyweight champion Semmy Schilt in size. Ben Saddik is known for his aggressive, pressure-heavy style, overwhelming opponents with power punches and leaving little room for a counterattack. In the opposite corner, Levi 'The Judge' Rigters is a sharp and efficient Dutch kickboxer with a record of 19 wins, 3 losses, and 9 KOs. He is currently ranked #1 in the GLORY heavyweight division. Standing 2m tall, weighing 112.9kg, and aged 30, Rigters is the former Enfusion super heavyweight champion, a title he clinched after beating Martin Pacas in October 2018, before moving to GLORY in 2020. Jamal's raw power and relentless striking against Levi's precision and composure promise a true clash of styles. Tactically, the edge may lean toward Rigters—but Jamal's brute-force style is tailor-made for the heavyweight chaos. MWN predicts a third-round knockout for Jamal Ben Saddik. Tags: Glory 103Jamal Ben Saddik
Morocco World
20 minutes ago
- Morocco World
PSV on Alert as Ismael Saibari Draws Interest from Europe's Elite
Uncertainty continues to loom over the future of Moroccan international Ismael Saibari, with PSV Eindhoven bracing for a possible late swoop from one of Europe's heavyweights ahead of the transfer window deadline on 2 September. According to Dutch outlet Eindhovens Dagblad , the Eredivisie club has yet to receive any indication from the 24-year-old midfielder about his intentions to stay, fuelling growing concern within the club hierarchy. Despite his rising market value, Saibari remains a realistic target for top-tier European clubs. AC Milan are reportedly leading the race for his signature, following a standout season for PSV in both domestic and European competitions. The Moroccan playmaker joined PSV from Belgian side Genk in 2020 and is under contract with the Dutch club until the summer of 2029. He has since become a key figure in the squad, with his development attracting increasing attention across the continent. Internationally, Saibari has made 13 senior appearances for Morocco, netting three goals. He was also instrumental in the national team's U23 Africa Cup of Nations triumph. PSV are on high alert as the transfer window approaches its final stretch, wary of losing one of their central midfield pillars to a late move from one of the continent's giants. Tags: Ismael saibariPSV Eindhovensaibari
Morocco World
2 hours ago
- Morocco World
When Will CAF Injustices Towards Morocco Stop?
Antsino Twanyanyukwa made history the moment CAF selected her to officiate the WAFCON 2024 final. The Namibian referee, visibly overwhelmed, said: 'I didn't expect this at all. I'm still in shock. But with God, all things are possible.' It was a major personal achievement and no doubt a proud moment for Namibian football. 'Personally, I believe I have the talent and the potential. They've seen what I can do, and now it's my opportunity to prove it; to show it on the pitch,' she said. Namibia called her appointment historic. 'Her selection to referee such a high‑stakes match was a testament to her unwavering commitment and skill,' said Namibian Football Association (NFA) president Robert Shimooshili. 'Her journey is an encouragement to all young women referees in Namibia. With hard work and perseverance, they too can reach the pinnacle of the sport.' Who's at fault? And yet, in a match watched by millions across Africa, Twanyanyukwa delivered a performance that left Moroccan players stunned, fans enraged, and experts baffled. Her decisions – or rather blunders – turned what should've been a sporting fest into a refereeing farce. In the 63rd minute, VAR awarded Nigeria a soft penalty, claiming Moroccan defender Nouhaila Benzina had handled the ball. But footage suggested it had struck near her side. Esther Okoronkwo converted. The Atlas Lionesses protested, but the damage was done. Minutes later came the real scandal. Nigeria's Oluwatosin Demehin blatantly handled the ball inside the area. Twanyanyukwa correctly pointed to the spot – then inexplicably reversed her decision after a VAR review. The footage shown to her on the VAR monitor was poor, unclear, and limited – a disgrace, frankly. In Twanyanyukwa's defence, there have been suggestions that she may have been misled by the visual evidence presented during the review. Normally, the VAR team and replay operators review the incident first and select what they believe are the key angles. If they spot something unclear or potentially wrong, they ask the referee to check the footage on the pitchside monitor. The referee can then ask for other angles or slow motion if needed to make an informed decision. The system gives access to many camera views, including split screens. But some critics say the referee wasn't shown the clearest angles in this case, which may have led her to overturn the correct decision. Still, many have maintained that Twanyanyukwa should bear some of the blame because she had the right, when presented with inconclusive or poor footage, to stick to her initial call. Former referee Hicham Tiazi told Médias24: 'The referee should have stuck to her decision and awarded a penalty to Morocco.' After the game, Morocco's coach Jorge Vilda couldn't hide his disbelief. 'We can't understand the decision made by the referee,' he told ESPN. 'She gave a penalty, but then the images we saw were not the same as those presented to the referee. The images were clear, we were sure she had to give a penalty.' 'There was a penalty that should have been, the referee had blown for it, but then [went] to VAR. We saw there was a hand, but the referee took it off us. That's what determined that we weren't able to celebrate this match – the penalty that was taken away from us.' 'The fact it wasn't given as a penalty had an immediate impact on the players. It had a psychological impact that shocked us; it was a massive hit to the players. It made it hard for us to come back … football was hard towards our team.' Nothing has been done But it's hardly the first time Moroccan football has been stitched up under CAF's watch. In 2019, Wydad Casablanca walked off the pitch during the infamous CAF Champions League final against Espérance Tunis in Tunisia after VAR malfunctioned. Said Naciri, Wydad's former president, called it a disaster: 'We were the victim of a scandal which destroyed all that had been done to develop football in Africa.' He also called for a fair investigation to save the image of football in Africa. In 2022, Raja Casablanca slammed CAF officials during their Champions League quarter-final game with Al Ahly. The club accused referee Jean-Jacques Ndala and VAR official Mehdi Abdi Charef of 'a flagrant breach of the principles of equal opportunity and fair refereeing,' citing 'several unfair, ungrounded decisions… including awarding an imaginary penalty following deliberate tampering during VAR review and breaching the VAR rules.' Again in the AFCON 2023 in Côte d'Ivoire, Morocco's national team suffered another refereeing mess in their Round of 16 defeat to South Africa. Former Moroccan referee Mohamed Moujah told Africa Soccer: 'The referee, unfortunately, deprived the Atlas Lions of a goal which would have completely changed the situation. It's scandalous.' Captain Romain Saïss echoed that deep-seated frustration in a statement to Arryadia, a Moroccan sports TV channel: 'Even when we score goals, we have them unfairly refused by the refereeing body. Because this one needs to be explained to me.' Back in Rabat, the FRMF has lodged an official protest over the WAFCON final. At the heart of it, the question of VAR manipulation and Morocco's role in the broadcast of wrong, unclear footage on the referee's screen. Hassan Boutabssil, Executive Director at Arryadia TV, rejected rumours that Morocco's production team had manipulated footage to protect Nigeria. 'When the referee goes to VAR, the director has no power. The image goes directly to the VAR screen, and it's the VAR operator who selects the camera angles,' he told Radio Mars. 'At that moment, the TV director is a spectator like everyone else.' 'Those attacking the TV directors should learn how a broadcast works,' he added. 'The director doesn't choose which image appears in the VAR room. People need to stop speaking nonsense.' Then came the sharpest jab at CAF's credibility: 'The intention was clear. There was a deliberate delay, and in the end, they showed an angle that didn't reveal anything. That reeks of bad faith.' He added, 'The national broadcaster works at the highest standards, certified by CAF and FIFA. The final was directed by Khalid Jadid, one of the best in Africa. Had any of our TV directors influenced the result, there would be a statement from CAF and an investigation. But that's not what happened.' As Morocco prepares to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, confidence in CAF's refereeing and VAR oversight is rapidly eroding. Silence breeds suspicion CAF has faced considerable backlash over the years for omitting many Atlas Lions from individual awards, despite their outstanding performances throughout various tournaments and competitions with club and country. One glaring example came in December 2023 when Yassine Bounou – widely acclaimed for his brilliant performances at the 2022 Qatar World Cup – was left out of the Player of the Year shortlist. A year later, critics and analysts also expressed astonishment at the names featured in the CAF Award shorts for goalkeeper and player of the year categories. Many questioned the fairness and transparency of the selection process and how a football player of Bounou's class and calibre was repeatedly denied the recognition he deserved. Questions have been raised about potential biases with CAF being led by South African businessman Patrice Motsepe, with many suggesting that decisions are often influenced by regional favouritism. This latest post-Wafcon drama is in addition to CAF's issuing of unclear positions on many occasions, including major controversy when CAF allowed a promotional video showing a divided map of Morocco, excluding its southern provinces in Western Sahara. As discontent mounts, Moroccan fans and officials are calling on CAF to explain its decisions and restore credibility.
