By Sport Analyst
Emmanuel Afonja
The 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final may have concluded with Nigeria’s Super Falcons lifting their record 10th title, but the drama is far from over. In a surprising twist, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has lodged a formal complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), alleging that the match was marred by officiating errors and other irregularities that may have influenced the outcome.
Morocco, who lost 3-2 to Nigeria in a fiercely contested final held in Rabat, claims that several critical refereeing decisions went against them, altering the flow and fairness of the game. In their petition to CAF, Moroccan officials cited questionable penalty calls, missed fouls, and time-wasting incidents they believe were not properly addressed by the match officials.
“We are proud of our players’ performance, but we owe it to them and to the integrity of the sport to seek answers. We believe there were several inconsistencies in officiating that should be thoroughly reviewed,” said a senior FRMF official in a statement released hours after the final whistle.
The Super Falcons had mounted an incredible comeback from two goals down to clinch the victory, a feat widely praised by fans and football analysts. However, Morocco insists that the officiating appeared biased and did not meet the standards expected of a continental final.
CAF has acknowledged receipt of the complaint and confirmed that it will initiate a formal review process. “The Confederation of African Football takes all official complaints seriously and will assess the claims according to established protocols,” a CAF spokesperson said on Monday.
The development has stirred mixed reactions across the African football community. While Nigerian fans have dismissed the complaint as “sour grapes,” Moroccan supporters argue that their team deserved a fairer shot at the title.
As CAF begins its investigation, the outcome could have implications not just for the teams involved but also for the officiating standards in future WAFCON tournaments. Whether the protest leads to any official sanctions or a revision of the match result remains to be seen, but for now, Nigeria remains the crowned champion — and the controversy adds yet another chapter to the storied rivalry in African women’s football.
