I was scared but I knew it wasn’t a penalty, Tosin Demehin reflects on penalty call overturned by VAR during AMCON final match

Super Falcons defender Oluwatosin Demehin has spoken about her anxiety before VAR overturned the referee’s penalty decision at the Women Africa Cup of Nations,’ final match.

Recall that Nigeria was trailing 2-0 before clawing back to 2-2 against hosts Morocco in that final.

Just nine minutes from full-time, Namibian referee Antsino Twanyanyukwa pointed to the penalty spot after adjudging Demehin to have handled the ball in the box.

However, after a VAR review led by Rwandan official Salima Mukansanga, the decision was overturned, to the immense relief of the Nigerian defender.

“I was scared, but deep down I knew it wasn’t a penalty. The ball touched my hand, yes, but the way I was positioned, it wasn’t unnatural,” Demehin said.

The Galatasaray centre-back also shared an exchange with teammate Asisat Oshoala.

“‘Agba baller’ (Asisat Oshoala) came to me and asked, ‘Tosin, ṣo bọwọ́ ẹ?’ (Did it touch your hand?). I said, ‘O bọwọ́ mi, but mo dúró dáadáa’ (Yes, but I stood naturally). She told me to calm down, assuring me it wouldn’t be given as a penalty.”

In only her debut at the WAFCON, fomer Nigeria youth international Demehin had been one of the standout players for the Falcons in Morocco.

The Galatasaray defender started all of Nigeria’s six matches, scored against Zambia and helped the Super Falcons boast the best defensive record at the tournament.

Still, all of her good work was about to be undone before VAR came to her – and Nigeria’s – rescue.

Reflecting on the incident, Demehin admitted she didn’t realise how emotional the moment had been until watching the footage later.

“I was so happy and thankful to God. Because if that had stood as a penalty, Nigerians would have blamed me for the loss. But when it was overturned, all I felt was gratitude.”

Moments later, Jenifer Echegini completed Nigeria’s comeback with a dramatic 88th-minute winner, latching onto Esther Okoronkwo’s pinpoint delivery to seal a 3-2 victory and Nigeria’s record-extending 10th WAFCON title.

Morocco, however, have refused to let the result go uncontested.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation filed a formal complaint with CAF, alleging multiple officiating errors, particularly the reversed penalty call.

In the fallout, CAF reportedly dismissed Director of Refereeing Désiré Noumandiez Doué.

Though Doué didn’t officiate the match, his role in referee appointments placed him under scrutiny.

His removal, according to sources, is part of a broader move to restore confidence in officiating standards across the continent.

Despite Morocco’s protests, match footage and analysis align with IFAB guidelines. The ball struck Demehin’s arm from under two yards away, while in a natural position, with no time to react. VAR was right to intervene.

The Super Falcons now hold the world record as the female national team with the most continental titles, one more than the United States and China’s haul of nine CONCACAF and AFC honours, respectively.