President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed claims of biased officiating ahead of Nigeria’s semifinal showdown against Morocco, SportPremi reports.
The Super Eagles and the host nation clash in the last four of the ongoing African Cup of Nations tournament at the Pronce Moulay Abdellah Stadium later today, with a place in the final up for grabs.
CAF released the full list of officials for both semifinal matches on Tuesday, which has caused uproar among Nigerians.
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The match will be overseen by Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea, who will be assisted on the touchlines by South Africa’s Zakhele Thusi Granville Siwela and Lesotho’s Souru Phatsoane.
Arsénio Chadreque Maringule from Mozambique has been named as the third assistant referee and Samuel Uwikunda of Rwanda will serve as the fourth official
CAF also appointed Abongile Tom of South Africa as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and he will be supported by Haythem Guirat of Tunisia and Stephen Onyango Yiembe of Kenya as assistant VAR officials.
Laryea, 38, is one of the continent’s most experience referees and was at VAR duties during Morocco’s win over Cameroon in the quarterfinals, with several questionable decisions.
Gusau calls for calm over officials ahead of AFCON semifinal
Reacting to the announcement of the officials for the crunch semifinal showdown, Ibrahim Gusau played down any possibility of bias from the referees and is confident the Super Eagles will progress from the clash.
“I do not have the same fears of the match officials being biased as some people have”, the NFF president stated.
“I believe that the grass is always green and that the playing pitch is level. I do not see a situation in which the match officials will be working against any team’s interest.
“Last summer , we were here in Morocco, for the Women Africa Cup of Nations, and we played the host nation in the Final, even coming from two goals behind to achieve victory.
“There is nothing to fear. This is the highest level of football on the African continent, and the officials know that CAF as well as the whole world is watching, and will not do anything untoward”, Gusau added.
Nigeria face Morocco in a high-stakes encounter tonight, while Senegal and Egypt clash in the other semifinal encounter three hours earlier.
