By Awambeng Fuh
Journalist kick442.com – Cameroon
Nigeria’s 2–0 victory over Algeria in the AFCON 2025 quarter-final was overshadowed by a highly controversial refereeing decision that sparked outrage and dramatic scenes both during and after the match. What should have been remembered as a decisive knockout performance instead became one of the tournament’s most heated flashpoints, leaving Algerian players and supporters furious.
The controversy unfolded in the first half when Farès Chaïbi sent a dangerous cross into Nigeria’s penalty area. The ball struck defender Semi Ajayi’s arm, prompting immediate and animated appeals from Algerian players, who surrounded Senegalese referee Issa Sy demanding a penalty. To their disbelief, the referee waved play on, and VAR did not intervene or suggest a review, a decision that stunned the Algerian bench and players alike.
Penallllltyyyyy
From that moment on, Algeria played under a cloud of frustration. Players repeatedly gestured toward the referee, clearly convinced they had been denied a crucial opportunity to change the course of the match. The sense of injustice lingered throughout the remainder of the first half and never truly dissipated.
Why no penalty
Match officials ruled that the ball had first struck Ajayi’s thigh before deflecting onto his arm, a key detail under the current Laws of the Game. When the ball comes off another part of a player’s body before making contact with the arm, it is generally not considered a handball offence, as the defender has no realistic chance to react or withdraw the arm. On that basis, the referee and VAR deemed no penalty was warranted.
However, the explanation did little to satisfy Algeria. Replays from certain angles appeared inconclusive, leaving doubts about the exact sequence of contact. The decision not to conduct a VAR review only intensified the anger, with Algerian players and fans questioning why such a pivotal moment was not examined more closely to provide clarity.
Algeria won 4 matches at an AFCON for only the third time in their history
Tensions boiled over after the final whistle. Still enraged by the earlier decision, Algerian players chased referee Issa Sy down the tunnel, forcing teammates, officials, and stadium staff to intervene. The situation became so volatile that police were required to escort the referee and his assistants out of the stadium to ensure their safety.
Although Nigeria advanced with a convincing scoreline, the football itself was largely forgotten amid the chaos. Algeria, who failed to register a single shot on target, exited the tournament with deep resentment. For the Desert Foxes, AFCON 2025 will be remembered not for missed chances or tactical shortcomings, but for the penalty appeal that never was—a moment that left their campaign ending in anger and bitterness.
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