CAFCC: Al Masry boss reacts to Chiefs penalty controversy

In an era of football where coaches often use post-match press conferences to launch scathing attacks on officiating, Al Masry head coach Nabil Kouki opted for a refreshing display of sportsmanship following his side’s 2-1 defeat to Kaizer Chiefs.

Despite a contentious penalty decision that tilted the momentum in favour of the Soweto giants, Kouki remained remarkably composed, choosing to laud the performance of PSL side Amakhosi rather than dwelling on the “debatable” call.

The Moment of Contention

The focal point of Kouki’s post-match address was the 39th-minute penalty awarded to Chiefs. Refereeing officials ruled that Al Masry captain Ahmed Mansour handled a goalbound effort from Glody Lilepo—a decision that was met with frantic protests from the Egyptian visitors.

Kouki admitted that his own assessment of the incident differed from the official’s view:

“I saw a picture of my player with his hands behind his back,” Kouki told reporters. “A penalty is a big decision to make… I cannot say the referee has full responsibility, but the handball was debatable.”

Al Masry Coach Nabil Kouki Gracious in Chiefs Defeat

Rather than letting the controversy overshadow the 90 minutes of play, Kouki repeatedly pivoted the conversation back to the quality of the opposition. His insistence on giving Kaizer Chiefs their flowers was a standout moment of the presser.

On the Result: “I can’t say that the referee took the game away from us.”

On the Opposition: “I can say Kaizer Chiefs played a good game. Kaizer Chiefs played a good game.”

This level-headedness comes at a tense time in Group D. The loss sees Al Masry slide into a precarious position, while Chiefs now sit two points clear at the top of the table.

While Kouki’s side briefly found a lifeline through Abderrahim Deghmoum’s 57th-minute equaliser, they were undone by an Aden McCarthy winner just three minutes later.

The focus for Kouki now shifts from the “what ifs” of Polokwane to the reality of Cairo. Al Masry must now regroup before their final group stage fixtures, while Kaizer Chiefs head to Egypt on February 15 to face Zamalek, needing only a draw to secure their status as group winners.

For Kouki, the message is clear: the penalty stung, but the better team on the day took the points.