World Is Watching: Nigeria’s Football Chief Breaks Silence on Refereeing Ahead of AFCON Semi with Morocco
14 January 2026
Pre-semi-final remarks from Nigeria’s football chief
The president of the Nigerian Football Federation, Haj Ibrahim Musa Josau, addressed the chatter about potential refereeing bias in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Morocco. He made clear he would not entertain fears that referees will tilt the game in favor of the hosts.
“I do not share the same concerns some voices have about bias against us,” Josau said in an official statement. “I do not see any scenario in which referees would act against our interests.”
He recalled last summer’s AFCON in Morocco where Nigeria faced the host women’s team in the final, coming from behind to win. “We fear nothing,” he asserted. “This is the continent’s highest level of football, and referees know CAF and the world are watching; they would not behave improperly.”
Fans of Morocco hope to add a second AFCON title to their 1976 triumph, while the Green Eagles arrive with momentum aiming for a fourth crown, their last in 2013. The semi-final is scheduled for January 14, 2026, at 21:00.
Note: This is pre-match coverage and reflects statements made ahead of the game.
SNIPER PUNCHLINE 1: If the whistle blows and you can’t hear the crowd, don’t panic—sometimes it’s just football learning to juggle the truth with a timely replay.
SNIPER PUNCHLINE 2: And if bias does slip in, remember: the only bias we truly want is toward a balanced halftime snack.
