Nigeria vs. Zambia Match: Mixed Reactions To Egyptian Referee's Sack at AFCON
Football fans have expressed mixed reactions to the sack of Egyptian Referee, Ghead Grisha, who officiated in the Nigeria match against Zambia at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in South Africa.
The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) sacked the referee on Sunday following the award of a penalty kick to Zambia for a foul the Eagles committed outside the 18-yard box during the match on Friday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Super Eagles played a 1-1 draw with the Chipolopolo of Zambia following the penalty awarded to Zambia.
Emmanuel Emenike had put the Eagles ahead in the 57th minute of the second half, before the referee awarded Zambia a penalty in the 85th minute.
Some fans of the Super Eagles told NAN that they were glad over the referee’s sack, while others regarded it as harsh, saying that he could have been given a two-match ban.
Dr Hammed Odeyemi, a football instructor at the National Institute of Sports (NISports), Lagos welcomed the development, saying the decision would serve as a deterrent to referees who are partial judges.
"With this development, referees in Africa will check their excesses and measure up to the international standards. Of course, the sack is a wakeup call to referees to be cautious in their decisions.
"It will also give a good image to African football in the world," he said.
Odeyemi urged African referees to go for more courses and be careful in their judgments on the pitch, to re-position African football and in international soccer competitions.
