The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has relieved Désiré Noumandiez Doué, Head of Refereeing, of his duties following a formal protest by Morocco over the officiating in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final.

The final, played in Rabat, saw hosts Morocco narrowly lose to record champions Nigeria’s Super Falcons, sparking widespread criticism over the performance of the match officials.

According to sources close to CAF, Morocco lodged an official complaint highlighting what they described as “unacceptable officiating errors” that influenced the outcome of the high-stakes encounter.

Following a review of the match and the subsequent protest, CAF has taken decisive action by dismissing Doué, an Ivorian and former FIFA-listed referee, from his role overseeing refereeing across the continent.

The move signals CAF’s commitment to raising refereeing standards and addressing growing concerns over officiating quality and transparency, particularly in high-profile women’s matches.

CAF is expected to announce Doué’s replacement in the coming days as preparations begin for upcoming continental competitions, including the men’s and women’s qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and the CAF Champions League.