Chairman of the Advocacy for Nigeria Football Reform Initiative, Harrison Jalla, has criticised the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over its decision to nullify Edo Queens’ WAFU-B Women’s Champions League qualifying final victory against Ghanaian side Ampem Darkoa Ladies FC.
Jalla described the decision as another administrative setback for CAF, arguing that Edo Queens should not bear the consequences of an error allegedly committed by match officials and competition organisers.
CAF overturned Edo Queens’ 4-1 penalty-shootout victory after the Ghana Football Association protested the decision to proceed directly to penalties following a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes.
The continental body subsequently ruled that the match should have gone into two 15-minute periods of extra time before penalties, in accordance with the competition regulations.
Reacting to the decision, Jalla said the latest controversy raised serious questions about the administration of CAF competitions.
“CAF is again caught in another administrative crisis, less than a year after the last Nations Cup in Morocco when it overturned Senegal’s victory over Morocco,” Jalla said.
“The same scenario is playing out again in the just-concluded WAFU-B women’s tournament of the African Women’s Champions League hosted by Burkina Faso.”
Jalla questioned why the match officials and organisers allowed the final to proceed directly to penalties if the regulations clearly provided for extra time.
“The rule clearly states there would be 15 minutes each half before penalty kicks, but match officials and organisers proceeded to penalty kicks, which Edo Queens won 4-1,” he said.
He also questioned the lessons being learnt by CAF’s 54 member associations from repeated administrative controversies surrounding its competitions.
“What are the 54 member federations that make up CAF learning from CAF in terms of organisation of championships?” he asked.
“It has been one blunder after another, while holding national teams and football clubs in Africa responsible for CAF failures.”
Jalla called on CAF to establish who authorised the immediate penalty shootout and determine whether the officials were aware of the applicable regulations.
“Who authorised match officials to proceed to penalty kicks? Are the match officials not conversant with the rules?” he asked.
He urged CAF to take responsibility for the error and impose appropriate disciplinary measures where necessary.
“CAF must allow football games to be won and lost on the field of play and invoke disciplinary measures against its staff and committee members, rather than subjecting the continent to constant embarrassment,” he said.
Jalla further called on CAF to reorganise its administrative structures, while urging the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to defend Edo Queens’ position.
“CAF would need to wake up and reorganise itself. Edo Queens have no reason to honour a replay. The NFF must make that clear to CAF,” he added.