CAF Vice President Responds to Controversy
CAF Second Vice President Kurt Okraku has stepped forward to defend referees after widespread criticism of officiating at AFCON 2025. The tournament’s final between Senegal and Morocco became the centre of heated debate, with a late VAR‑assisted penalty decision nearly bringing the match to a standstill.
Senegal’s Protest and VAR Drama
Tension peaked in the 98th minute when referee Jean Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty after reviewing El Hadji Malick Diouf’s challenge on Brahim Diaz. The decision triggered immediate outrage. Senegal’s players briefly refused to continue, while sections of the crowd attempted to storm the pitch.
Earlier in the match, Senegal had already been frustrated when Ismaila Sarr’s goal was ruled out for a foul in the build‑up. The combination of decisions fuelled anger on the touchline and in the stands, creating one of the most dramatic moments of the tournament.
Okraku Stands by Officials
Despite the uproar, Okraku defended the referees and praised the overall standard of the competition. He acknowledged that the scenes were far from ideal but insisted they reflected the intensity and passion of the final.
He reminded critics that officiating errors are part of football everywhere. “Referees are human beings. They will make mistakes today and get things right tomorrow,” he said, urging supporters to judge the tournament as a whole rather than focus solely on controversial moments.
Aftermath and Disciplinary Action
Brahim Diaz ultimately missed the penalty, and Senegal went on to lift the AFCON title. However, the fallout continues. Head coach Pape Thiaw now faces potential sanctions from CAF’s disciplinary committee for his role in the team’s brief refusal to play.
As the dust settles, the debate over refereeing standards remains alive, but CAF’s leadership is standing firm behind its officials, calling for perspective and respect as African football moves forward.
