CAF Sacks Refereeing Chief Doué Following WAFCON Final Controversy
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reportedly dismissed its Director of Refereeing, Désiré Noumandiez Doué, following the widespread controversy surrounding the officiating in the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final between Nigeria and Morocco. Nigeria’s Super Falcons triumphed 3–2 in a dramatic match in Rabat, but the result sparked protests from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), who accused match officials of bias and critical errors that altered the outcome of the game.
Although Doué did not officiate the final himself, his position made him responsible for the appointment and oversight of referees and VAR protocols during the tournament. According to multiple sources, including The Nation and Pulse Sports, CAF acted swiftly on August 1, relieving Doué of his duties in what appears to be a direct response to Morocco’s official complaint. The FRMF submitted a detailed dossier highlighting two major incidents: a penalty awarded to Nigeria for handball and a Moroccan penalty that was later overturned after VAR review. Both decisions have been heavily criticized in Moroccan media and by head coach Jorge Vilda, who claimed the officiating cost Morocco a historic title on home soil.
CAF has yet to issue an official statement, but internal sources indicate that the decision also aligns with broader efforts to reform the refereeing structure ahead of the 2026 African Nations Championship (CHAN). The organization is reportedly considering several replacements, with names such as Bakary Gassama of Gambia, Redouane Jiyed of Morocco, and Issam Abdel Fattah of Egypt in discussion.
Doué’s dismissal has generated mixed reactions. In Morocco, it is being seen as a vindication of their protest, while in Nigeria, critics argue that the move undermines the legitimacy of the Super Falcons’ hard-fought victory. Some Nigerian commentators fear this may set a dangerous precedent where political influence overrides merit on the pitch. Nevertheless, CAF is also exploring more drastic solutions, including the possibility of inviting foreign referees from outside Africa to officiate future key tournaments.
The fallout from the WAFCON final continues to reverberate across the continent, and Doué’s removal marks one of the most consequential actions taken by CAF in recent years. Whether it leads to lasting improvements or deeper division within African football remains to be seen.
