A contentious moment has overshadowed the AFCON semi-final between Nigeria and Morocco on January 14, 2026. A widely circulated video appears to show a Moroccan stadium steward deliberately removing Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali‘s towel as he prepared for the penalty shootout.
The incident, which happened just before the shootout that saw Nigeria lose 4-2 after a 0-0 draw, has sparked significant outrage online.
Many fans condemned the act as a calculated piece of unsportsmanlike conduct, a deliberate attempt to distract Nwabali or even a belief that the towel contained “juju” (black magic).
The video also captured Nwabali’s angry reaction, reportedly an inappropriate gesture towards the crowd and the steward.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is reportedly investigating the incident and Nwabali’s response. This controversy has reignited debates about fair play and home-ground advantage in African football tournaments.
There have been calls for CAF to take a firm stance against such actions to ensure the integrity of the sport.
