The officiating at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has been a talking point by football lovers around the world most especially in the area of the video assistant referee.
The former manager of Chelsea, Jose Mourinho has showered praises on the officials at the competition. According to him, they do not use the VAR to make money from teams hence why they make good decisions.
Mourinho made this statement while speaking in an interview on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast channel, Five UK.
“I have watched AFCON more than European football. They are simply teaching us to be honest. In AFCON VAR is used exactly the way it should be used. They do not use it to help the money magnet teams or famous teams. This is why you saw the best out of every team. Because they know VAR is not hired behind the scenes but is for everyone. They listen even to their Players if the Ref missed something and go check. In Europe, if I as a coach or a player plead with a ref to go check something, it is a red card for doing that. The headquarters for VAR needs to be in CAF”
Most teams at the AFCON have benefited from amazing officiating from the VAR officials and also the on-pitch officials from the beginning of the competition down to the final game.
