Algeria defender Aïssa Mandi has shut down any bitter excuses following his side’s AFCON exit, insisting Nigeria’s “great players” were simply too good and denying the referee cost them the quarter final.
Despite loud complaints from Algerian fans over Issa Sy’s officiating in the 2-0 loss, the Lille centre back was clear in the mixed zone. “The Nigerian team doesn’t need this,” Mandi stated. “They have a strong team with great maturity. They have great players, and that’s why they don’t need refereeing decisions to put in a good performance.”
The Desert Warriors had five players booked to Nigeria’s one, with pundits arguing the official was overprotective of the Super Eagles. A first half moment, where Calvin Bassey’s effort appeared to cross the line before a scramble cleared it, also fuelled controversy and fresh calls for goal line technology at the tournament.
But Mandi refused to point fingers. “They’ve shown that since the start of the Africa Cup of Nations,” he added, crediting Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams’ second half strikes as the difference in a match where Algeria were largely contained.
His gracious assessment sets the stage for Nigeria’s huge semi final against hosts Morocco this Wednesday. While debates over the officiating will rumble on in some quarters, Mandi’s verdict was clear: they were beaten by the better side.
