AFCON: Mahrez Criticizes Referee Issa Sy After Nigeria’s 2-0 Win Over Algeria

Algeria’s national team captain, Riyad Mahrez, has expressed dissatisfaction with the officiating of Senegalese referee Issa Sy following Algeria’s 2–0 defeat to Nigeria in the AFCON quarter-final clash held on Saturday.

After the conclusion of the highly anticipated encounter, Mahrez spoke to journalists, where he openly shared his thoughts on the referee’s performance. According to the experienced winger, Issa Sy did not deliver a flawless officiating display during the match, though he emphasized that the referee’s decisions were not the sole reason behind Algeria’s loss.

Mahrez acknowledged that football often involves controversial moments and difficult refereeing calls, noting that while such issues should be addressed, they should not overshadow the reality of the game’s outcome.

“I think the referee was not perfect, but that is not why we lost. We still have to mention it because it is football,” Mahrez stated.

Despite the frustration surrounding some of the officiating decisions, the Algerian captain showed sportsmanship by recognizing Nigeria’s overall superiority on the day. He admitted that the Super Eagles performed better across key moments of the match and deserved the victory.

“Today they are better; we have to shake their hands and be honest,” he added.

Following the match, tension grew among Algerian supporters and players, many of whom felt their team was unfairly treated by the referee. Several complaints centered around an alleged penalty incident in the first half, which they believe should have been awarded in Algeria’s favor.

Members of the Algerian camp accused Issa Sy of showing bias, claiming that multiple calls went against them throughout the match. The disputed penalty decision became a major talking point, with fans insisting it could have changed the momentum of the game if awarded.

Nevertheless, Nigeria maintained control and composure, ultimately sealing a convincing 2–0 victory, which secured their progression to the next stage of the Africa Cup of Nations tournament. While refereeing debates continue to dominate post-match discussions, Algeria’s exit marks a disappointing end to their AFCON campaign.