Morocco’s Football Federation Petitions CAF Over Controversial WAFCON Final Refereeing.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has lodged a formal protest with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), calling for the suspension of Namibian referee Antsino Twanyanyukwa following a contentious decision in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final. The match, held on Saturday, 26 July 2025, at Rabat’s Olympic Stadium, saw Nigeria’s Super Falcons stage a dramatic 3-2 comeback to clinch their 10th WAFCON title, leaving the host nation reeling from what they describe as “refereeing injustices.”
The FRMF’s grievance centres on a pivotal moment in the 82nd minute, with the score tied at 2-2. Video footage appeared to show a handball by Nigerian defender Oluwatosin Demehin after a close-range shot from Morocco’s Imane Saoud. Initially, Twanyanyukwa awarded a penalty, but after a lengthy VAR review, the decision was overturned, citing the natural position of Demehin’s arm and the proximity of the players. The reversal sparked outrage among Morocco’s players and coaching staff, with head coach Jorge Vilda arguing that the call “psychologically affected” his team, contributing to their late collapse when Jennifer Echegini scored the winning goal in the 88th minute.
Morocco’s petition also questions a 63rd-minute penalty awarded to Nigeria for a handball by Moroccan defender Nouhaila Benzina, which Esther Okoronkwo converted to spark the Super Falcons’ comeback. The FRMF contends that both VAR decisions were flawed, with limited or unclear footage provided to the referee, undermining the match’s integrity. “The images were clear; it should have been a penalty,” Vilda told ESPN, expressing frustration over the officiating process.
The match was a rollercoaster of emotions for the partisan Moroccan crowd, who saw their Atlas Lionesses dominate the first half with a 2-0 lead, only to be outmanoeuvred by Nigeria’s tactical adjustments and clinical finishing in the second half. Nigeria’s coach, Justine Madugu, praised his team’s resilience and credited substitutes like Echegini for turning the tide. Meanwhile, Vilda, while acknowledging his team’s fatigue, insisted the refereeing decisions were decisive, stating, “We were better than Nigeria, apart from a few minutes and the referee.”
The petition has ignited debate across African football, with some Moroccan fans and officials alleging systemic bias by CAF, though no evidence supports these claims. Nigeria’s defender Ashleigh Plumptre dismissed the notion that the penalty would have changed the outcome, expressing confidence in goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie’s ability to save any potential spot-kick. CAF has yet to respond publicly to the FRMF’s complaint, which also demands clarity on the VAR process and the selection of camera angles.
Despite the controversy, the final showcased the growing competitiveness of women’s football in Africa. Morocco’s second consecutive appearance in the WAFCON final highlights their rapid progress, while Nigeria’s victory reaffirms their dominance. As the dust settles, the FRMF’s petition underscores the need for greater transparency in refereeing decisions to ensure fairness in high-stakes matches.
