₦airaland Forum

GanagiBitrus:
The truth of the matter is that Africa so much believes in Juju, that any item including towel placed around the vicinity of the post is regarded as Juju.

I remember the funny incident when Nigeria hosted AFCON in 2000.
Senegal tenaciously held on to a 1-0 lead against Nigeria until almost end of the match.
An NFF official suddenly rushed to Senegal's goal post & removed one object placed there. He was almost beaten up by Senegal, but soon after, Nigeria equalised through Aghahowa & went on to win the match.

GanagiBitrus:
The truth of the matter is that Africa so much believes in Juju, that any item including towel placed around the vicinity of the post is regarded as Juju.

I remember the funny incident when Nigeria hosted AFCON in 2000.
Senegal tenaciously held on to a 1-0 lead against Nigeria until almost end of the match.
An NFF official suddenly rushed to Senegal's goal post & removed one object placed there. He was almost beaten up by Senegal, but soon after, Nigeria equalised through Aghahowa & went on to win the match.

AndroBlaze:
To be fair to CAF, we must consider the African factor, as Africans in general (including the North Africans) believe in jazz and it's potency.

What they should do next time is provide CAF inscripted towels so no one will claim anyone is using voodoo.

oloriooko:
CAF Explains Goalkeepers’ Towels at AFCON
January 27th, 2026

The Confederation of African Football CAF has faulted goalkeepers’ use of towels during AFCON 2025 in Morocco.

The keepers’ action came under spotlight at AFCON where Senegal and Nigeria goalies engaged in back and forth with ball boys who tried to confiscate their towels.

Nigeria’s net minder Stanley Nwabali had to replace his towels on occasions after ball.boys and fans took away the cloth behind his post during AFCON semi-final against hosts Morocco.

In the case of Senegal keeper Édouard Mendy, he had to station his assistant behind the goal area to man his towel during the final against the hosts.

Viral videos captured when a substituted Moroccan player Saibari and ball boys tried taking Mendy’s towel but the assistant goalie prevented it.

Reacting to the controversy today President of CAF’s Referees Committee Olivier Safari Kabene clarified on the keepers’ use of towels as provided in the rule book.

“It is very simple, and we have been clear with our match officials. According to the Laws of the Game, the field of play must remain clear of any foreign objects that are not part of the players’ equipment. A towel is not considered player equipment. It is not a jersey, it is not a pair of shorts, and it is not gloves,” he stated.

“We understand the practical need, but these items must be kept away from the goal area. They should be placed behind the advertising boards or with the team staff.

“When a goalkeeper places a towel inside the side netting or right next to the post, it can influence the game. It can distract opponents, obscure the referee’s view of the goal line, or even interfere with the ball in certain situations.”


January 27, 2026 woramangra sports