reacts as referee overturns Super Eagles’ penalty in 0-0 draw

The president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has hailed the performance of Moroccan referee, Redouane Jiyed, during the 0-0 draw in the first leg of the 2022 World Cup playoff between Nigeria and Ghana.

The game was played on Friday at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

The Super Eagles were awarded a penalty 15 minutes from time, after Baba Iddrisu handled the ball in the box.

But the decision was overturned after Jiyed consulted with the VAR monitor.

It is the first time VAR will be used in an African World Cup play-off.

Pinnick believes Jiyed got his decision right, as the Ghanaian player was fouled during the build up to the incident.

“I think the referee did well. It was a correct call. The Nigerian player pushed Baba Iddrisu and that made him touch the ball,” Pinnick stated on Akoma FM.

“We have no problem with officiating. However, we will win convincingly at home. Our team is better but we were unfortunate today. Football is football.”