By Olatunbosun Obafemi
African Football (CAF) has reportedly dismissed its Director of Refereeing, Désiré Noumandiez Doué. The decision comes following an official protest from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), who alleged a series of critical officiating errors during Morocco’s dramatic 3–2 defeat to Nigeria in the final held in Rabat.
Though Doué did not officiate the match himself, his role in appointing match officials placed him under intense scrutiny. The final was overseen by Namibian referee Antsino Twanyanyukwa, assisted by officials from Rwanda and Senegal. VAR was managed by Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga, one of Africa’s most experienced referees. However, their performance drew the ire of the host nation, particularly after Morocco were denied a penalty they believed was clear-cut and Nigeria were awarded what was described by many as a “soft” penalty.
The FRMF filed a formal complaint to CAF, submitting a video dossier highlighting several contentious decisions that they argue unfairly influenced the outcome. Morocco’s head coach Jorge Vilda, formerly of Spain, expressed his disappointment post-match, saying the officiating had a psychological impact on his players after a call was overturned on review.
CAF acted swiftly, reportedly removing Doué from his position, as first reported by Moroccan outlet Hespress. His dismissal is believed to be the first of several measures CAF plans to implement to restore credibility to its refereeing standards, which have come under increasing scrutiny in recent years.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Super Falcons remain focused on their historic achievement. Having claimed their 10th WAFCON title, the team returned home to a hero’s welcome. President Bola Tinubu conferred national honours on the players and coaching staff, alongside gifts including cash rewards and landed property. The celebration extended across the country, with several state governors and former players also recognizing the team’s achievement.
Despite the officiating controversy, Nigeria’s victory stands, and CAF now faces mounting pressure to rebuild trust in its officiating framework across the continent.
