Algeria has voiced strong objections following its 2-0 defeat to Nigeria’s Super Eagles, claiming that a clear penalty was wrongly denied by match officials during Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-final.
The Super Eagles had delivered a commanding performance to secure their semi-final spot, with second-half goals from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams settling the contest and outclassing the North African side.
Penalty Controversy
Shortly after the match, Algeria took to its official 𝕏 account to express frustration over an alleged handball in the penalty area, which was neither called by the referee nor reviewed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
The team dismissed common accusations of cheating often levelled at North African sides, emphasizing their integrity:
“I don’t want to hear anyone talk about North African teams cheating. It might apply for one team, but certainly doesn’t apply to Algeria.”
Algeria insisted that the handball occurred inside the penalty box and should have resulted in a spot kick:
“A clear handball and penalty not called by the referee or the VAR. And no, it was not outside the box.”
The comments implied that the Algerians believed the match’s outcome could have been different if the decision had gone in their favour.
Despite the controversy, Nigeria maintained control and secured the win, reinforcing the Super Eagles’ strong record against Algeria in recent competitive fixtures. The victory highlighted Nigeria’s tactical discipline and growing confidence, particularly against North African opponents known for their technical and physical prowess.
While Nigerian supporters celebrated the result, Algeria’s post-match reaction shifted attention to officiating standards and the effectiveness of VAR in African competitions. The incident has sparked lively debate among fans on social media, with opinions divided over whether the referee made a clear error in denying the penalty.
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