Eric Otogo Castane to Officiate Equatorial Guinea vs Ghana Semi-final Amid Refereeing Controversy
CAF has appointed Gabonese referee Eric Otogo Castane to officiate the high-stakes 2015 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final between Equatorial Guinea and Ghana on Thursday, February 5.
This decision comes in the wake of intense controversy following the quarter-final clash between Tunisia and Equatorial Guinea, where referee Seechurn Rajindraparsad was widely criticized for awarding a highly disputed late penalty to the host nation. The fallout led to Rajindraparsad’s suspension for six months and his removal from the CAF Elite A list, amid accusations of bias and referee mismanagement.
Now, Otogo Castane will step into the spotlight, carrying tremendous pressure and scrutiny, as many fans and observers remain suspicious of CAF’s refereeing decisions—especially regarding potential favoritism towards the hosts. The performance of the Gabonese official will be closely watched, with expectations for fairness and professionalism heightened.
This semi-final clash will not only determine one of the CAN 2015 finalists, but also serve as a test of CAF’s ability to manage match officiating in a highly charged environment.
Would you like a recap of Ghana or Equatorial Guinea’s journey to the semi-finals?
