AFCON 2025: I’m Not Bothered About Biased Officiating Against Morocco – NFF President

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, has dismissed fears of possible biased officiating when the Super Eagles clash with Morocco in the 2025 Nations Cup semi-final on Wednesday.

Referees’ performances have been under intense scrutiny throughout the competition, with CAF already trimming the list of officials as part of a continuous evaluation process.

Malian referee Boubou Traoré has been taken off the list of match officials and will not handle any further fixtures at AFCON 2025.

Cameroonian official Abdou Abdel Mefire has also been withdrawn and is no longer expected to officiate matches for the remainder of the tournament.

The Algerian Football Association filed an official complaint against referee Issa Sy, accusing him of biased officiating in the 2-0 loss to Nigeria.

However, Gusau is not bothered about biased officiating in Nigeria’s clash against Morocco on Wednesday.

He said, “I do not have the same fears of the match officials being biased as some people have. 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’s 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.”

The Super Eagles have enjoyed a stunning run in the competition, winning all five matches so far, scoring 14 goals in the process.

Gusau will be hoping the team will make Nigerians proud against Morocco as they target a second consecutive final after losing to the Ivory Coast in the 2023 edition.