AFCON: Ibrahim Gusau confident of officiating ahead of Nigeria vs Morocco

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has dismissed fears of potential bias in officiating as the nation’s senior men’s national team locks horns with the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosts, the Atlas Lions of Morocco, in the second semi-final this Wednesday in Rabat.

There had been earlier reports of concern among Nigerian football fans that match officials could, blatantly or surreptitiously, work in favor of the host nation against the Super Eagles.

However, the NFF supremo and President of WAFU B believes that the officiating will be called down the middle, just as it was when Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, faced the Atlas Lionesses in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final in Morocco.

‘I believe that the grass is always green’

“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 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 camp continues to radiate confidence and self-belief ahead of the encounter. The players are sticking strictly to their professional daily schedule at the Hotel Rihab and their training ground, Complexe Sportif Mohamed VI.

Reports from the Atlas Lions’ camp reveal that their players are focused on securing a second AFCON title, fifty years after their maiden triumph.