Gusau dismisses fears of biased officiating as Super Eagles prepare for Morocco showdown
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON), has dismissed fears of possible biased officiating when the Super Eagles face hosts Atlas Lions of Morocco in Wednesday night’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in Rabat.
‘I do not have the same fears of the match officials being biased as some people have. 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.
Last summer, we were here in Morocco for the Women’s 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. 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, and will not do anything untoward.’
The NFF supremo, who also serves as President of WAFU B, spoke against the backdrop of widespread fears among Nigerian fans that the match officials could blatantly or subtly favour the host nation, which is chasing a second AFCON title after its maiden triumph 50 years ago.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles camp continues to radiate confidence and self-belief ahead of the encounter, with players sticking strictly to their daily schedule at Hotel Rihab and training at the Complexe Sportif Mohamed VI.
Reports from the Atlas Lions’ camp suggest their players are wary of the influence Nigerian midfielder Alex Iwobi could have on the game.
Iwobi delivered 22 line-breaking passes in the quarterfinal against Mozambique, which Nigeria won 4-0, and 14 against Algeria’s Desert Foxes in Saturday’s quarterfinal in Marrakech. Nigeria won both matches, scoring six goals and conceding none.
The 29-year-old, who made his debut for Nigeria against the Democratic Republic of Congo in a friendly in Belgium on 8 October 2015, also provided the assists for Nigeria’s first two goals of the tournament in the 2-1 win over Tanzania in Fés on 23 December.
Iwobi is set to earn his 96th cap for the Super Eagles on Wednesday night.
