AFCON refs not up to standard – Henry

By Daily Sports Nigeria on January 22, 2026

French football legend Thierry Henry has criticised the standard of officiating at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, saying the referees are not at the level of the tournament.

The Arsenal icon made the remarks following the controversial final between Morocco and Senegal, which saw Senegalese players attempt to walk off the pitch in protest against officiating decisions.

“The referees are not at the level of the show. All the stuff that happened in those tournaments sometimes is caused by referee mistakes. And I’m not blaming the referee, I’m blaming the people that are not training them to be at the level of the football we’re watching,” Henry said on CBS Sports Golazo.

The final was marred by controversy after a disallowed goal for Senegal’s Ismaila Sarr and a late penalty awarded to Morocco’s Brahim Díaz.

Henry, while understanding Senegal’s frustration, condemned their attempted boycott of the match.

“Senegal wanting to leave the field was wrong. That’s not the image you want to give, not only for African football, but for any football. You don’t want to do that,” he said.

The former France striker revealed that his passion for AFCON began with the 1988 edition hosted in Morocco, where Cameroon defeated Nigeria 1-0 in the final.

“I started to watch the Africa Cup of Nations in 1988, and it was actually in Morocco. Cameroon won against Nigeria,” Henry said.

He noted how the tournament served as a showcase for talent that would later dominate European football, citing legends like Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o, and Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha.

The Confederation of African Football has suspended Senegalese head coach Pape Thiaw while full investigations are ongoing.

 

 

Source Punch Ng

Posted January 22, 2026


 

You may also like...
Six Positive In Latest Premier League Covid-19 Tests...

Lionel Messi will always be the best player...

Conte Charges Inter Players To Make History Ahead...

Odey, Olatunbosun tipped to inspire Chan Eagles

AFCON: Burkina Faso Send Tunisia Packing

Mayweather not ready to discuss McGregor rematch yet...

 

Latest News Messi is pure history, says Argentine coach ahead of World Cup final Trump says England’s Tuchel ‘made a mistake’ with Kane in Argentina World Cup defeat World Cup final: Messi may equal Ronaldo’s unique football record D’Tigers star Eric to hold basketball camp in Lagos Commonwealth Games: Amusan arrives Team Nigeria camp Oloko’s Falcons dream comes true with Nnadozie WAFCON worth fighting for, says Oshoala Ashe praises world-class Nigeria camp ahead of C’wealth Games World Cup: Argentina face FIFA sanction over Falklands banner display World Cup English FA backs Tuchel despite semi-final loss Messi, Argentina finds Pickford’s penalty cheat sheet – Report Argentina punished England after sensing weakness, doubts, says Scaloni W’Cup semi-final win

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (63,960 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,301 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,211 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,817 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,700 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,570 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,460 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,975 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,194 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,661 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (48,139 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,525 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media