Morocco Football Federation Drag Nigeria’s Super Falcons To CAF After WAFCON Defeat
InfoSport: Morocco’s Football Federation has filed a formal complaint against Nigeria’s Super Falcons following their victory in WAFCON, questioning the eligibility of key players.
Morocco’s Protest Against Nigeria
In a dramatic turn of events, Morocco’s Football Federation has filed a petition with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), challenging the eligibility of two Nigerian players after their women’s team lost 3-2 in the WAFCON final. The complaint comes on the heels of Nigeria’s hard-fought victory on Saturday, stirring tension between the two countries.
Eligibility Concerns
Morocco’s protest centers around Ashleigh Plumptre and Michelle Alozie, both of whom were born outside Nigeria but opted to represent the country at the senior level. Before the final match, Morocco raised flags regarding the legitimacy of their nationality switch, claiming irregularities in their eligibility.
Plumptre was granted approval by FIFA to play for Nigeria in 2021, due to her Nigerian heritage through her paternal grandfather. Conversely, Alozie’s situation is more straightforward; she was born in the USA to Nigerian immigrant parents.
Nigeria Responds
Despite the serious nature of the complaint, a high-ranking member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) dismissed the protest as “dead on arrival.” The NFF is confident that the eligibility of both players complies with CAF regulations and has stated no concern over the fallout from the challenge.
Conclusion
As the situation unfolds, all eyes will be on CAF’s next steps regarding this controversial petition. The outcome may have significant implications not only for Nigeria but also for the integrity of player eligibility in African football. Fans are encouraged to share their thoughts on the matter.
