President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has dismissed concerns that match officials could be biased when the Super Eagles face hosts Morocco in Wednesday night’s second semi-final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat.
Gusau, who is also President of WAFU B, spoke against the backdrop of growing anxiety among Nigerian football fans that officiating might favour the host nation as Morocco chase a second AFCON title, 50 years after their first.
“I do not have the same fears of the match officials being biased as some people have,” Gusau said.
“I believe that the grass is always green and that the playing pitch is level. I do not see a situation in which the match officials will be working against any team’s interest.”
He cited Nigeria’s recent experience at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco as evidence that fairness would prevail.
“Last summer, we were here in Morocco for the Women Africa Cup of Nations, and we played the host nation in the final, even coming from two goals behind to achieve victory. There is nothing to fear,” he added.
According to Gusau, the stature of the tournament ensures accountability.
“This is the highest level of football on the African continent, and the officials know that CAF, as well as the whole world, is watching. They will not do anything untoward.”
Within the Super Eagles camp, confidence and focus remain high. The players have maintained a disciplined routine at Hotel Rihab and during training sessions at the Complexe Sportif Mohamed VI, radiating belief ahead of the decisive encounter.
Meanwhile, reports from the Moroccan camp suggest growing concern over the influence of Nigerian midfielder Alex Iwobi, whose performances have been pivotal in the knockout stages.
Iwobi delivered 22 line-breaking passes in Nigeria’s 4–0 quarter-final victory over Mozambique and followed that with 14 similar passes against Algeria in Marrakech. Nigeria won both matches convincingly, scoring six goals without conceding any.
The 29-year-old midfielder also provided the assists for Nigeria’s first two goals of the tournament in the 2–1 group-stage win over Tanzania in Fés on December 23.
On Wednesday night, Iwobi is expected to earn his 96th cap for the Super Eagles, further underlining his importance to Nigeria’s AFCON campaign.
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