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Following the Nigeria versus Tunisia Afcon match in Morocco, captain Wilfred Ndidi commented on the controversial penalty decision that enabled their opponents to nearly secure a draw.
Speaking to the press after the match, Ndidi expressed clear dissatisfaction with the disputed call against defender Bright Osayi-Samuel, which provided Tunisia a late path back into the game. “I was surprised about the penalty decision,” Ndidi stated. “I'm 100 percent confident that was not a penalty. Both players went for the ball and his hand was in a natural position. I was shocked he went to the VAR.” He shared this view after Nigeria secured a narrow 3-2 victory.
The incident occurred with Nigeria leading 3-1, when Osayi-Samuel was penalized for an alleged handball while attempting to head away a cross. The referee initially allowed play to continue but, following a VAR review, overturned the decision and awarded a penalty to Tunisia. The subsequent goal tightened the scoreline, creating a tense finish to the encounter.