Table of Contents
- Ighalo's Statement on Bassey's Attempt
- Criticism of CAF
- Absence of Goal Line Technology
- FIFA Rule on Goals
- Match Replay Insights
- Super Eagles' Performance
- Final Score Update
Former Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo, has asserted that Calvin Bassey’s first-half attempt against Algeria in the quarter-final of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco should have been counted as a goal.
The former Nigerian forward criticized the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for not implementing goal line technology in African football.
Despite repeated calls for the introduction of this crucial technology, the Africa Cup of Nations currently lacks goal line technology.
According to FIFA rules, for a goal to be awarded, the entire ball must cross the goal line.
Replays indicate that nearly all parts of the ball crossed the line, yet the Senegalese referee’s on-field decision was confirmed by VAR, denying Nigeria what would have been their first goal.
The Super Eagles controlled the first half of the match and squandered several prime opportunities to take the lead in the opening forty-five minutes.
Speaking on SuperSport, Ighalo, who was part of the Super Eagles team that lost to Algeria in the AFCON semifinal in 2019, expressed, “It was a goal by an inch. In my opinion, this is a goal by an inch. In a tournament of this caliber, the only tournament in the world, in the European Cup and World Cup, they have effective goal line technology.”
“This is the biggest tournament in Africa. We should have goal line technology. For me, I believe the entire circumference of the ball must cross the line.”
At the time of writing this report, Nigeria was already leading 2-0 against the Desert Warriors of Algeria, with goals from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams.
FAQs
Why was Calvin Bassey's attempt not counted as a goal?
The attempt was not counted as a goal because the referee's on-field decision was upheld by VAR, despite replays showing that most of the ball crossed the goal line.
What did Odion Ighalo say about the absence of goal line technology?
Ighalo criticized CAF for not implementing goal line technology, stating that it is essential for a tournament of this significance in Africa.
What was the score at the time of the report?
At the time of the report, Nigeria was leading 2-0 against Algeria, with goals from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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