Refereeing in Crisis: A Deep Dive into the Afcon 2025 Debacle
The 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire showcased the Confederation of African Football's (Caf) video assistant referee (VAR) system at its finest, rivaling the Premier League and other European leagues. However, the tournament took a turn for the worse when refereeing standards plummeted, leading to a series of controversial decisions. The abrupt dismissal of Noumandiez Doué as head of Caf's refereeing department just before the African Nations Championship last year may have contributed to this decline.
Caf faces a daunting task to restore refereeing standards for the next Afcon. The refereeing department must be composed of competent, independent-minded individuals with the courage and ethics to withstand pressure, even from powerful Caf politicians. Caf alone must ensure fair and unbiased management of Afcon games and be held accountable for any poor refereeing.
The Afcon final between hosts Morocco and Senegal was marred by the performance of Jean-Jacques Ngambo Ndala, a referee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. His controversial decision to rule out a legitimate Senegal goal due to a foul called before the ball entered the net, preventing VAR intervention, sparked a series of events. When he awarded Morocco a penalty, a legitimate call, Senegal's coach, Pape Thiaw, withdrew his team in protest. It took the leadership of Senegal's captain, Sadio Mané, to convince them to return to the field.
Alex Iwobi, a 29-year-old midfielder, shone in Morocco, showcasing his excellence in the free role he enjoys at Fulham. Iwobi, the nephew of former Super Eagles great Jay-Jay Okocha, earned his second Afcon bronze medal, adding to a silver from 2024. His vision and pinpoint passing to teammates like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman were exceptional. Iwobi's YouTube channel, documenting his Afcon experiences, has been a hit with Super Eagles fans.
Tom Saintfiet, Mali's Belgian coach, received praise for his tactical acumen, especially in the group game against Morocco. His strong opposition to the proposed change in Afcon frequency from every two years to every four years was also noted, as he defended the continent's cherished football traditions that have provided him with great career opportunities.
The quality of pitches and stadiums is crucial for the Afcon. The tournament has set a world-class benchmark in Rabat, Fez, Marrakech, Casablanca, Tangier, and Agadir. This contrasts sharply with the poor pitches in Port-Gentil during the 2017 Afcon in Gabon, where Ghana's Baba Rahman suffered a career-threatening cruciate injury. Former Nigeria captain Segun Odegbami, a 1980 Afcon winner, emphasizes the importance of good pitches for the sport.
The weather in Morocco, with its cold and rainy conditions, was a stark contrast to the traditional hospitable climate of the Afcon. The miserable weather impacted the health of players and officials and hindered the joie de vivre associated with the tournament. The last Afcon in North Africa, in Egypt in 2019, was played in much more favorable conditions.
Morocco's passion and love for football are unparalleled. The pressure on the Atlas Lions' manager, Walid Regragui, and his players after 50 years without an Afcon win was immense. Regragui acknowledges the disappointment but emphasizes the challenges of winning the Afcon, citing Senegal's recent success in reaching three finals in four Afcons. He believes in the team's potential and the importance of continued growth.
Regragui's outstanding work with Morocco over the past three and a half years makes it crucial for the Royal Morocco Football Federation to support his efforts in the upcoming World Cup. Denying him this opportunity would be a self-sabotage, hindering Morocco's football development.
