WAFCON 2024: Morocco FA Petitions CAF to Suspend Referee After Controversial Penalty Call Against Nigeria

By Myra Chinonso, Senior Reporter, SpringnewsNG Media Limited
July 30, 2025

The Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has filed an official petition to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) demanding the suspension of Namibian referee Antsino Twanyanyukwa over a controversial penalty incident in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final against Nigeria’s Super Falcons.

According to a report by Morocco World News, the FRMF accused the referee of “refereeing injustices” that they claim had a decisive impact on the outcome of the match.

Controversial Penalty Decision

The incident occurred in the 82nd minute of the WAFCON final when the scores were tied 2-2. Referee Twanyanyukwa initially awarded Morocco a penalty after suspecting a handball by Nigeria defender Oluwatosin Demehin.

However, following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, the referee overturned the decision, ruling that Demehin’s arm was close to her body and did not constitute a deliberate handball.

Just minutes later, Nigeria’s Jennifer Echegini scored the decisive goal, securing a 3-2 victory for the Super Falcons and their record-extending 12th WAFCON title.

Morocco Calls for Referee’s Suspension

The FRMF maintains that the referee’s decision, even after VAR intervention, disrupted the flow of the game and influenced the final outcome.

“Such officiating mistakes must not go unpunished to preserve the integrity of African women’s football,” the petition read, according to Moroccan media reports.

CAF has yet to issue an official response to Morocco’s complaint.