‘Officiating wasn’t fair’- Eguavoen speaks after Nigeria’s exit at the hands of Tunisia at AFCON 2021

The interim boss saw his side crash out of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations despite their impressive performances in the group stages 

Super Eagles interim coach Austin Eguavoen has criticised the performance of Senegalese referee Maguette Ndiaye following Nigeria’s round of 16 exit at the 2021 AFCON.

The Super Eagles promising campaign in the competition came to a disappointing end following a 1-0 loss to Tunisia on Sunday night.

Youssef Msakni’s strike from outside the box was all the Carthage Eagles needed to progress to the quarterfinal at the expense of Nigeria.

Msakni’s goal was not the only talking point of the game, though, as Nigeria also had Alex Iwobi sent off five minutes after coming on.

Initially, Ndiaye awarded the Everton man a yellow card but changed his decision following a VAR review. And speaking after the game, Eguavoen criticised the controversial Senegalese referee, saying some of his calls were wrong.

“Iwobi’s red card, I don’t think it was,” Eguavoen said at his post-match press conference as per Modo. 

“It was the first foul, and it wasn’t intentional, but we have to look at the VAR later and see.”

“However, first offence, I don’t think it was a red card. It wasn’t dangerous play.

“The boys fought, officiating wasn’t fair.”

Eguavoen was also critical of the referee’s decision to blow fouls in favour of Nigeria when he could have played an advantage.

“And then right in his face, I can see one of the most gentlemen in the team, Wilfred Ndidi, got marched and right in the face of the referee, Ndidi complained.”

“But having said that, we gain advantage to move on and breakaway, and then he recalls it and gives us fouls.”

“Normally, in the game of football, and there’s an advantageous position, you let it run,” Eguavoen added.