In a dramatic turn of events during a crucial World Cup qualifying match, the Panthers of Gabon were denied what appeared to be a clear penalty against Nigeria's Super Eagles, despite video assistant referee intervention.
The Controversial Incident
The pivotal moment occurred during the second half of the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff match between Nigeria and Gabon. Birmingham City defender Bright Osayi-Samuel was involved in a shirt-pulling incident against Gabonese player Aaron Appindagoye inside the penalty area during a set-piece situation.
The incident sparked immediate protests from the Gabonese players, who vehemently appealed for a penalty kick that could have potentially changed the outcome of the crucial qualifying match.
VAR Intervention and Final Decision
South African match official Abongile Tom found himself at the center of controversy when the video assistant referee system alerted him to the potential penalty incident. The referee proceeded to follow protocol by checking the pitch-side monitor to review the footage himself.
Despite clear visual evidence showing Osayi-Samuel pulling Appindagoye's shirt, referee Tom made the surprising decision to wave off the penalty appeal. The official judged that while contact occurred, the pull was not forceful enough to significantly influence the Gabonese player's movement or balance.
Match Context and Implications
The controversial non-call came during a critical World Cup qualifying match where both teams were fighting for valuable points in their quest to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Such decisions often prove decisive in tightly contested African qualifying groups.
The match, played on November 13, 2025, added another chapter to the growing discussion about VAR implementation in African football and the consistency of decision-making in crucial matches involving continental giants like Nigeria's Super Eagles.
Football analysts and fans alike continue to debate whether the officials made the correct call or if Gabon were unjustly denied a clear scoring opportunity that could have altered the match dynamics significantly.
