In a shocking turn of events, viewers of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) were left in disbelief after Nicolas Pepe, the former Arsenal forward, was booked for diving despite being completely wiped out by Edouard Mendy, the ex-Chelsea stopper. The incident occurred during the round of 16 tie between the Ivory Coast and Senegal.
The match started off with a quick goal from Senegal’s Habib Diallo, putting them ahead after just four minutes. However, the Ivorians were determined to get back in the game and push for an equalizer. Their opportunity came when Pepe flicked the ball over Mendy, only to be taken out and sent crashing to the ground. Replays clearly showed the foul, leaving fans and viewers astounded that the on-field referee failed to award a penalty.
To make matters worse, Pepe was not only denied the penalty, but he was also booked for diving. This decision left viewers in utter disbelief. Social media erupted with outrage, with one fan expressing concern about the referee’s judgment, saying, “How the referee didn’t see that as a penalty is worrying.” Another fan went as far as calling it the worst refereeing decision they had ever witnessed.
Thankfully, the introduction of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) came to the rescue. The decision was overturned, and Franck Kessie stepped up to convert the penalty, equalizing the score for the Ivory Coast. The momentum seemed to shift in favor of the host nation, and they fought hard to find a winner. However, as the game came down to penalties, it was Nottingham Forest’s Moussa Niakhate who missed his spot-kick for Senegal in an otherwise perfect shootout.
Once again, it was Kessie who stepped up to make a crucial penalty, this time against Mendy. He confidently slotted the ball into the net, securing the victory for the Ivory Coast and sending them into the quarterfinals. The raucous atmosphere at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium celebrated their triumph.
The shocking refereeing decision and subsequent overturning by VAR highlighted the importance of technology in modern football. It also sparked further discussions about the reliability of on-field officials and the need for more accurate decision-making systems. While the Ivory Coast ultimately emerged victorious, the incident will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most controversial moments in AFCON history.