The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the dismissal of its Head of Refereeing, Désiré Noumandiez Doué, following a formal protest lodged by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) over the officiating in the recent Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final. The decision comes after a contentious final match where Morocco's Atlas Lionesses fell to Nigeria's Super Falcons.
The final, which took place on July 26, 2025, saw the Super Falcons emerge victorious with a 2-1 win. However, the match was marred by several controversial decisions made by the referee, which the FRMF claims unfairly impacted the outcome. Specifically, the FRMF's protest highlighted several key moments, including a disallowed goal for Morocco and what they believe was a missed penalty call. The FRMF's official statement to CAF called for a thorough review of the referee's performance and accountability for the officiating team.
CAF's swift response, culminating in Doué's dismissal, signals a strong message about the organization's commitment to addressing concerns over refereeing standards and maintaining the integrity of its competitions. Doué, a former international referee from Côte d'Ivoire, had been in the role since 2018. His tenure saw both praise and criticism, but this latest incident appears to have been the final straw.
The decision has been met with mixed reactions across the continent. Moroccan football officials and fans have expressed satisfaction with the outcome, seeing it as a validation of their concerns and a step towards fairer play. "This is not just about one match; it's about ensuring that African football is judged on merit, not on the whims of poor officiating," said a source close to the FRMF.
Conversely, some critics are questioning whether the dismissal of one individual is a sufficient solution to what they see as a systemic problem. They argue that the pressure on CAF referees is immense and that a more comprehensive approach to training, oversight, and technology (such as VAR) is needed to prevent similar incidents in the future. The debate over the role of VAR in African football, particularly in major tournaments, is likely to intensify in the coming months.
CAF's acting President, who took over following the suspension of the previous leadership, has not yet issued a detailed statement but has assured stakeholders that a full review of CAF's refereeing department is underway. The incident casts a shadow over what was otherwise a successful WAFCON tournament, which showcased the growing talent and competitiveness of women's football in Africa.
As the dust settles, the focus now shifts to who will replace Doué and what new measures will be implemented to restore confidence in CAF's refereeing. The pressure is on the organization to demonstrate that this action is not just a one-off response to a high-profile complaint but a genuine commitment to improving the quality and fairness of football across the continent.