AFCON 2015: Refereeing Controversies Emerge Early as Papa Gassama Comes Under Fire
The 30th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has barely begun, yet officiating is already a central topic of debate. Long the subject of criticism in CAF competitions, refereeing has once again come under scrutiny after contentious decisions marred the tournament’s opening matches in Equatorial Guinea.
In particular, all eyes were on Gambian referee Papa Bakary Gassama, who officiated the opening fixture between host nation Equatorial Guinea and Congo. Gassama, recently honoured as the continent’s top referee at the 2014 Glo CAF Awards, was expected to deliver a strong performance. However, his decisions during the 1-1 draw raised eyebrows among players, pundits, and fans alike.
Controversy first erupted in the 16th minute when Equatorial Guinea’s Emilio Nsue gave the hosts the lead. Replays suggested the striker was in an offside position when he received the ball, but the goal was allowed to stand. Gassama and his assistants failed to spot the infringement, leading to criticism about the accuracy of officiating on such a big stage.
The most contentious moment came in the second half. With Equatorial Guinea pushing for a second goal, Nsue again found himself in front of goal and confidently slotted the ball past the Congolese keeper. However, this time the referee disallowed the goal for offside—despite television footage clearly showing the forward was onside when the ball was played.
The decision drew outrage from local fans in the stadium, who voiced their frustration as their team was denied what appeared to be a legitimate goal. The match ultimately ended in a 1-1 draw, but the fallout from the officiating decisions continued well after the final whistle.
Such early refereeing controversies have reignited concerns over the quality and consistency of officiating in African competitions. While CAF has made efforts in recent years to professionalise refereeing and improve standards across the continent, incidents like those witnessed in the tournament opener threaten to overshadow the football itself.
As AFCON 2015 progresses, the spotlight will remain on the officials, with players and fans hoping for greater accuracy and fairness in matches to come. For Gassama, widely regarded as one of Africa’s top referees, the opening night was far from his finest hour—and a reminder that even the best are not immune from costly errors on football’s biggest stages.
