The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has officially lodged a protest with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), accusing the refereeing team of critical errors in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final against Nigeria.
Following Morocco’s dramatic 3-2 defeat at the Stade Olympique in Rabat, the FRMF expressed deep dissatisfaction with a pivotal moment in the 82nd minute.
At a tied score of 2-2, referee Antsino Twanyanyukwa initially awarded Morocco a penalty for a handball by Nigerian defender Tosin Demehin inside the box. However, after an extended VAR review, the decision was reversed, allowing play to continue and sparking immediate protest from Moroccan players and coaching staff.
The Moroccan federation argues that this overturned penalty decisively influenced the match’s outcome, enabling Nigeria to complete a remarkable comeback and claim their record-extending 10th WAFCON title.
Head coach Jorge Vilda, visibly frustrated, described the incident as “a small detail that cost us the game,” noting that the reversal had a significant psychological impact on his players, who had built a strong 2-0 lead before succumbing in the second half.
Morocco also contests a contentious penalty awarded to Nigeria in the 63rd minute for a handball call against Moroccan defender Nouhaila Benzina, asserting that the decision was questionable and had a major effect on the momentum shift.
Nigeria’s head coach Justine Madugu nonetheless, praised Morocco’s first-half performance, emphasizing his team’s tactical adjustments at halftime and the impact of substitute players that turned the game around. He also complimented Morocco’s bright future in women’s football.
The FRMF’s protest includes accusations of limited and unclear VAR footage during the review, fueling suspicions of bias. The controversy has sparked national outrage in Morocco, with players and officials openly criticizing the officiating.
FRMF President Fouzi Lekjaa reportedly confronted the referee post-match, an incident that drew FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s intervention to calm tempers.
Despite this disappointment, Morocco has received commendations from King Mohammed VI for their historic run and the impressive hosting of the tournament.
The federation awaits CAF’s response while calling for a thorough investigation into the refereeing decisions that it claims, overshadowed what was Morocco’s second-ever appearance in a WAFCON final.
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