SportsNews
WAFCON: Demehin speaks on VAR controversy against Morocco as CAF sacks refereeing chief
Super Falcons defender, Oluwatosin Demehin, has spoken for the first time about the VAR controversy that happened in the final of this year’s Women African Cup of Nations.
Nigerians went two goals down against hosts Morocco, before scoring twice in the second half to draw level.
Just nine minutes left, Namibian referee Antsino Twanyanyukwa pointed to the penalty spot, after adjudging Demehin to have handled the ball in the box.
However, following a VAR review led by Rwandan official Salima Mukansanga, the decision was overturned.
“I was scared, but deep down I knew it wasn’t a penalty,” Demehin told BoldSports.
“The ball touched my hand, yes, but the way I was positioned, it wasn’t unnatural.”
Moments later, Jennifer Echegini completed Nigeria’s comeback with a dramatic 88th-minute winner, as the Falcons won a record-extending 10th WAFCON title.
However, the incident escalated as the Royal Moroccan Football Federation submitted a formal complaint to CAF, alleging multiple officiating errors, particularly the reversed penalty call.
Amid the fallout, Soccernet reports that CAF has sacked Director of Refereeing, Désiré Noumandiez Doué.
Although Doué didn’t officiate the match, his role in referee appointments placed him under scrutiny. His removal is believed to be part of a broader move to restore confidence in officiating standards across the continent.
Super Eagles playmaker, Alex Iwobi, has admitted they are waiting to see if the team would still play at the 2026 World Cup.
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, is optimistic of a potential lifeline from FIFA, after it submitted a petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Iwobi was asked by SuperSport if he would rather lift the AFCON 2025 trophy or qualify for the World Cup?
The 29-year-old, who played at the 2018 of the World Cup, replied: “I mean we’re still waiting, well hopefully we can go to the World Cup, but I feel it’s a tough one.
“It’s a tough one because winning AFCON is like… It’s a great legacy, it’s a great thing to have like in your career, a memorable moment.
“But then at the same time, because I’ve been to the World Cup already, a lot of the players haven’t been. They would like to say ‘I want to go to the World Cup,’ so I can’t be selfish and say win the AFCON and for my teammates to not go to the World Cup. So it’s a tough one. I don’t know. I don’t know.”
Politics
PRESIDENT TINUBU CONDOLES WITH SAMUEL CHUKWUEZE OF THE SUPER EAGLES ON THE PASSING OF HIS MOTHER
President Bola Tinubu sends his condolences
to Super Eagles forward Samuel Chukwueze on the passing of his mother.
The President also extends his sympathies to the family and friends of Mrs Sarah Chukwueze, who passed away on Thursday.
President Tinubu mourns with the Chukwueze family and encourages them to find solace in the memory and legacy of their late matriarch.
“The passing of Mrs Chukwueze, the mother of one of our bright football stars, just a few days after the passing of Super Eagles’ captain Wilfred Ndidi’s father, is deeply saddening.
I mourn with them, and I am with them in prayers during this difficult time,” the President says.
President Tinubu prays that God Almighty will grant the departed eternal rest.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)
Arsenal’s starting XI to face Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday evening has been unveiled.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta opted to start Gabriel Jesus ahead of Viktor Gyokeres to lead the Gunners’ attack against the Red Devils.
This comes after Jesus scored a brace against Inter Milan in the Champions League in midweek.
The Brazilian will be assisted by Bukayo Saka and Leandro on the wings.
In midfield, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard return to join Martin Zubimendi.
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