Penalty or Plot Twist? Morocco-Nigeria AFCON Semi Sparks Ref Debate

Disputed moment in AFCON semifinal fuels penalty debate

The closing minutes of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 semifinal between Morocco and Nigeria sparked a heated debate over a potential penalty.

Morocco's players shouted for a spot-kick after a cross from star Hakimi struck Nigeria's Calvin Bassey on the arm, but the referee signaled to continue play.

Morocco had progressed to the semi by topping their group, then beating Tanzania 1-0 and Cameroon 2-0. Nigeria led their group before crushing Mozambique 4-0 and edging Algeria 2-0.

Morocco have won the tournament once, in 1976, while Nigeria have three titles.

The image and the moment circulated widely, fueling online debate about whether the contact deserved a penalty and whether VAR would have mattered.

In football, some calls age like fine wine; others age like a milkshake left in the sun.

Punchline: If the handball had been allowed, the referee would need a separate whistle for the drama—call it "too much confetti".

Punchline 2: Next time, bring a crystal ball—not a whistle—to settle the drama.