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.
