The Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has sent a strongly worded protest letter to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), alleging that the referee of the finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) helped the Super Falcons win.
Morocco World News reports that the Moroccan Federation cited a controversial moment in the 82nd minute of the match, when a Nigerian defender, Tosin Demehin, appeared to have touched the ball inside the box.
The referee initially flagged it and went to review the VAR, after which she overturned her decision.
Morocco believe that development frustrated their team and bench.
Morocco’s head coach, Jorge Vilda, described the moment as a small detail that cost them the game.
Vilda, who previously led Spain to World Cup glory in 2023, is hardly known for getting involved in refereeing controversies.
The celebrated coach forthrightly admitted that fatigue played a role in his team’s second-half flop.
The final match between the Atlas Lionesses and the Super Faclons was played at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.
The Atlas Lionesses came out with guns blazing, trouncing their opponent 2-0 in the first half of the game.
The tables, however, turned in the second half, with Esther Okoronkwo seeing the back of the Moroccan net and opening the way for Folashade Ijamilusi and substitute, Jennifer Echegini, whose goals clinched victory for the Super Falcons.
Nigeria’s coach, Justine Madugu, cited tactical changes during the second half as the reason for the team’s recovery and win.
Madugu said the substitutions made a significant difference in the game. He also commended Morocco for their strong showing in the first half.
Morocco has now gone on record as the first host nation to lose back-to-back WAFCON finals.
Ghana’s Black Queens emerged as the third runner-up in the tournament through a penalty shootout with South Africa’s Banyana Banyana.
The two teams had first ended their encounter in a 1-1 stalemate in regulation time.
