Whistles with Good Intent: Cameroon Coach Defends Referees After AFCON 2025 Exit

Match aftermath and coach's stance

Cameroon head coach David Bajou praised African refereeing, saying errors in some games are not born of malice, after his team was eliminated in the AFCON 2025 quarterfinals by host Morocco 2-0 on Friday.

Speaking to reporters, Bajou defended the claim that Africa has the best referees, noting that mistakes can happen in any match and that players must adapt to the laws as applied.

He added that emotions can run high and referees are human, but ultimately everyone tries to understand each other and talk calmly with the fourth official.

And Bajou's remarks contrasted with the earlier stance of Cameroon's former star and federation president Samuel Eto'o, who vented his anger at the officiating during the match, directing criticisms toward CAF president Patrice Motsepe and Morocco's federation chief Fouzi Lekjaa.

Contrasting voices and reactions

Separately, the Cameroonian coach expressed disappointment at the elimination but praised the Atlas Lions' performance, thanking the Moroccan supporters and noting the atmosphere in the stands, which he said made the Moroccan team feel like the best player and deserved luck for the rest of the tournament.

Reporters noted that the Cameroonians had appealed for several penalties and produced sustained pressure in the Moroccan box, but the referee's decisions stood. Bajou emphasized discipline and faith in the laws, calling for unity in the federation's next steps and focusing on representing Africa with dignity.

Fans in both countries reacted on social media, with Moroccan supporters celebrating a late goal and Cameroonian fans reflecting on what could have been, while some analysts argued the coverage underscored the need for greater consistency in continental refereeing.

And while the victory kept Morocco contending for the title, Bajou's measured response earned some respect, though Eto'o's critics continued to voice their discontent.

Punchline time: If referees were magicians, they'd pull a red card out of thin air and call it extension.

Punchline time 2: In football, the truth is often written in the timeline—on the scoreboard, not in the referee's notebook.