The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has launched a formal investigation and condemned the violent scenes that marred the end of Nigeria's quarter-final victory over Algeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Marrakech. At the centre of the controversy is Luka Zidane, son of football legend Zinedine, who could face significant disciplinary punishment.
Full-Time Melee Mars Super Eagles' Triumph
The incident erupted immediately after the final whistle of the highly charged match, which saw the Super Eagles secure a 2-0 win to advance to the semi-finals. Goals from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams had sealed Nigeria's place against hosts Morocco, but the celebration was quickly overshadowed by a large-scale brawl involving players and staff from both sides.
According to multiple reports, the 27-year-old Algerian goalkeeper, Luka Zidane, was a central figure in the confrontation. Emotions boiled over following Algeria's elimination, leading to a heated verbal and physical altercation between Zidane and Nigeria midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru of Lazio. The situation escalated into a shoving match, prompting other players to intervene.
Zidane was also seen arguing with Club Brugge's Raphael Onyedika as several Nigerian players worked to defuse the tension and pull their teammates away from the scuffle. The ugly scenes marked a bitter end to Algeria's tournament, with the Desert Foxes' frustration evident after falling to a dominant Nigerian performance.
CAF's Strong Stance and Disciplinary Process
In a swift response, CAF issued a strong statement condemning the post-match misconduct. The governing body confirmed it has opened an investigation and is gathering evidence, including match reports and video footage, from the quarter-final fixtures between Cameroon-Morocco and Algeria-Nigeria.
"CAF strongly condemns any inappropriate behaviour which occurs during matches, especially those targeting the refereeing team or match organizers," the statement read. "Appropriate actions will be sought against anyone whose behaviour is not consistent with professional conduct at CAF events."
The matters have been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board, which will determine if identified individuals are guilty of wrongdoing. This process signals that formal sanctions, including potential suspensions or fines, could follow for those found responsible.
Potential Fallout for Zidane and Algerian Federation
If found guilty by the disciplinary board, Luka Zidane faces possible punishment from CAF for his role in instigating the altercation. This comes after what had been a solid tournament for the Granada goalkeeper, who had kept three clean sheets for Algeria after switching his international allegiance from France earlier in the year.
In a related development, the Algeria Football Federation (FAF) has submitted an official petition to both CAF and FIFA following their elimination. Their complaint reportedly centres on a first-half penalty appeal that was waved away by referee Issa Sy when the score was 0-0, after the ball struck Nigeria's Semi Ajayi.
The dual narratives of on-field disciplinary issues and off-field official complaints now place CAF at the centre of post-match controversies, as the focus shifts to the semi-finals of the tournament.
