Algeria Cry Foul After Quarter-Final Loss To Nigeria
By AUGUSTUS ISICHEI
ALGERIA are preparing to lodge a formal protest with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over their quarter-final loss to Nigeria at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Reports indicate that the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) is dissatisfied with the officiating of Senegalese referee Issa Sy, who handled the encounter. The federation is said to have compiled a list of grievances which it intends to submit to CAF for review.
Central to Algeria’s complaint is an alleged denial of a clear penalty, along with several other decisions the FAF believes were questionable and favoured Nigeria. Algerian officials have accused the referee of showing bias against the Desert Foxes during key moments of the match.
Beyond the decisions on the pitch, the FAF also claimed that Issa Sy failed to shake hands with Algerian players at the final whistle, describing the action as unprofessional and contrary to accepted officiating standards.
Algeria further alleged that Nigerian players provoked their officials and players after the match, while reports also claimed that Algerian journalists were attacked in the tunnel area following the game.
CAF is expected to examine the protest, along with match reports and any supporting evidence, before deciding whether disciplinary action is warranted.
