The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 quarterfinal clash between Nigeria's Super Eagles and Algeria's Desert Foxes on Saturday, January 10, 2026, ended in a convincing 2-0 victory for Nigeria, but the match was overshadowed by a major officiating controversy. Algerian players and fans were left furious after Senegalese referee Issa Sy refused to award them a penalty for an alleged handball by Nigerian defender Semi Ajayi.
The Controversial Incident That Sparked Outrage
In the 12th minute of the high-stakes encounter, Algeria launched an attack from the right flank. Winger Farès Chaïbi attempted a cross into the Nigerian penalty area, which struck the arm of defender Semi Ajayi after it had first deflected off his thigh. The immediate and vehement penalty appeals from the Algerian players were waved away by referee Issa Sy. Crucially, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system did not intervene to recommend an on-field review, further incensing the Algerian camp.
The incident quickly became the focal point of post-match discussions, dominating social media debates and prompting the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) to announce a formal protest to the Confederation of African Football (CAF). They cited poor officiating and alleged several decisions favoured the Super Eagles throughout the match.
Expert Analysis: The IFAB Rule That Settled the Debate
Amid the heated arguments, a professional referee and instructor known as Victor provided a technical breakdown that clarified the decision. In a detailed analysis shared on his Instagram page, Victor referenced the official International Football Association Board (IFAB) Laws of the Game.
He explained that while Ajayi extended his arm, the sequence of contact was critical. "The ball first touched his leg before his arm," Victor stated, highlighting the key detail. According to IFAB Law 12, a handball offence is not committed when the ball touches a player's hand or arm directly after touching another part of their body, such as the head, foot, or thigh, unless it results in an immediate goal.
This specific clause in the rules justified both the on-field decision by Issa Sy and the lack of intervention from VAR. Victor concluded that the officials applied the correct protocol, despite the understandable frustration from the Algerian side.
Aftermath and Road to the Semifinals
Despite the controversy, Nigeria's performance was dominant. The Super Eagles controlled the match from start to finish, with Algeria failing to register a single shot on target. The 2-0 victory secured Nigeria's place in the AFCON 2025 semifinals, where they are scheduled to face the host nation, Morocco.
The fallout from the match, however, continues. The Algerian protest to CAF underscores the high tensions and the immense pressure surrounding knockout-stage matches in Africa's premier football tournament. The explanation based on IFAB rules offers a legal perspective, but the debate over the incident is likely to persist among fans and pundits long after the final whistle.
