The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reportedly removed Désiré Noumandiez Doué from his position as Director of Refereeing, following a formal protest by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) over officiating in the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The decision comes in the wake of mounting criticism over refereeing standards in the tournament, particularly during last Saturday’s dramatic final between Nigeria and Nigeria at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. Nigeria edged the contest 3–2 to claim the title, but controversy erupted after Morocco was denied what many deemed a clear penalty.
“There was a penalty that should have stood; the referee blew for it but then went to VAR. We saw there was a handball, but the referee overturned it,” a Moroccan official was quoted as saying. “That decision determined our fate. It had a psychological impact that shocked us. It was a massive blow.”
The final was officiated by Namibian referee Antsino Twanyanyukwa, with assistance from officials from Rwanda and Senegal, and a VAR team led by Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga. In a statement, the FRMF described the officiating as “riddled with critical errors” and submitted a formal complaint to CAF, including a CD of video footage highlighting what they claim were game-altering decisions.
Morocco’s head coach Jorge Vilda also expressed frustration after the match. “We can’t understand the decision made by the referee,” he told ESPN. “She gave a penalty, but then the images we saw weren’t the same as those presented to the referee. The images were clear; we were sure she had to give a penalty.”
The incident has rekindled debate about the quality and impartiality of officiating in African football, with several North African football associations accusing CAF of regional bias under the leadership of President Patrice Motsepe. The controversy was further inflamed by a recent CAF promotional video that displayed a divided map of Morocco, omitting the southern provinces, an issue that drew diplomatic backlash.
CAF is now reportedly reviewing its refereeing structures amid growing pressure from member associations. Insiders suggest a broader shake-up could be underway as the organisation moves to restore confidence in its officiating standards.
