The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) have officially protested to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over a pivotal VAR-assisted decision during their 3–2 defeat to Nigeria in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final.
The controversy centres around a second-half handball incident involving Nigeria defender Tosin Demehin, with the score tied at 2–2.
Namibian referee Antsino Twanyanyukwa initially pointed to the spot after spotting what she deemed a handball offence.
Atlass Lionesses. Photo Credit: Getty Images
However, after a VAR review led by Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga, the referee consulted the pitch-side monitor and ultimately reversed her original decision, ruling that Demehin had not interfered with play.
READ MORE: Rasheedat Ajibade: Super Falcons captain calls for greater support to win World Cup
According to journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, a senior Moroccan official who spoke on condition of anonymity alleged procedural irregularities in the VAR room.
“There are very serious statements from the match producer, who said that the VAR referee refused to take the sequences that clearly show and prove that there was an obvious penalty.
Photo Credit: CAF
We are fully aware that the match will not be replayed, of course, but it is unacceptable to see such behavior from someone responsible for VAR. VAR is there to correct mistakes. It is not there for anything else.”
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE ATHLETIC NG WHATSAPP CHANNEL
The decision proved to be a turning point. Just minutes later, Nigeria’s Esther Okoronkwo set up substitute Jennifer Echegini, who scored what proved to be the winning goal, sealing a record-extending 10th WAFCON title for the Super Falcons.
