Former Super Eagles striker Odion Jude Ighalo has criticized the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over the decision to rule out Calvin Bassey’s goal in Nigeria’s AFCON quarter-final match against Algeria.
Speaking after the game, Ighalo said the ball clearly crossed the goal line and should have been counted as a goal. He blamed the incident on the absence of goal-line technology at the Africa Cup of Nations.
According to him, replay footage showed that most of the ball went over the line, but the referee’s decision was upheld by VAR, denying Nigeria an early lead.
Ighalo described the situation as disappointing, saying that major tournaments like the World Cup and European competitions use goal-line technology, while Africa’s biggest football event still lacks it and miles behind.
Despite the setback, Nigeria went on to dominate the match and later scored two second-half goals through Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams to defeat Algeria 2–0.
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