African Refereeing Under Scrutiny After Opening AFCON 2021 Qualifiers
The first two days of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers have highlighted that African refereeing still faces significant challenges, despite efforts by CAF to improve standards. While most matches proceeded without major incident, several refereeing decisions sparked controversy and drew criticism from coaches and fans alike.
In Niamey, Angolan referee Joao Amado Muanda came under fire for awarding a dubious penalty to Ivory Coast in their match against Niger. The decision directly led to the match’s only goal, raising questions about the consistency and accuracy of officiating at this level.
Similarly, in Tunis, Malawian referee Ishmael Chizinga awarded a penalty to Libya in their clash with Tanzania after spotting a handball by a Taifa Stars defender—an incident that, while correct, was among the few decisive calls that went in Libya’s favor.
Perhaps most glaring were the decisions made by Chadian referee Alhadi Aliou Mahamat during the Kenya-Togo match in Nairobi. His officiating was widely criticized, including by the Togolese coach Claude Le Roy, who did not hold back in the post-match press conference. “It’s sad what’s happening in African football. The referee wasn’t good today. We’ll analyze it, but it was terrible,” Le Roy said, reflecting the frustration shared by many observers.
These incidents underscore a persistent problem in African football: while the players and teams continue to raise the competitive level, refereeing standards have not always kept pace. CAF has invested in training programs and technology, but inconsistencies on the pitch show there is still much work to be done to ensure fairness and maintain the credibility of the continent’s premier competitions.
With the AFCON qualifiers now underway across 12 groups, the pressure on referees will only increase. Teams are vying for limited spots in the tournament, and every decision—especially penalties and red cards—can dramatically affect qualification outcomes. The early controversies of these first two rounds suggest that CAF will need to redouble efforts in referee education, selection, and support if African football is to meet the expectations of players, coaches, and fans alike.
