The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has lodged an official complaint to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), over the poor officiating and treatment the Golden Eaglets received during last weekend’s U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier in Niamey.
Last Saturday, the Junior Menas of Niger Republic caused a major upset in football when they eliminated five-time world champions, Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets 3-2 on aggregate to advance to the next round of the U-17 AFCON qualifiers.
NFF general secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi said the officiating left much to be desired and everything was done to frustrate the Nigerian team to Niamey.
“I’m personally worried and the Nigeria Football Federation is worried and we are going to lay an official complaint,” said Sanusi.
“There was more to what we saw here in Niamey from these officials. This, I believe, was why they seized our camera. Look at the penalty awarded against us by the referee; where did that come from? There was nothing close to being a penalty kick in that situation.
“Even the free kick that was given during the prolonged time-added-on time was strange. The referee was making foul calls on all the moves we made. I have never seen this kind of humiliation and officiating.”