A press statement from Confederation of African Football (CAF) says Egyptian referee, Ghead Grisha, who was at the centre in the Group C match between Nigeria and Cup holders Zambia in Nelspruit on Friday, has been sacked from the 29th Africa Cup of Nations.
Grisha became a subject of condemnation when he awarded a highly controversial penalty against the Super Eagles four minutes to the end of the tension-soaked match. The resulting goal enabled the champions to draw level in the game at Mbombela Stadium.
A top official of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed on Sunday that the 36-year old, who became an international referee in 2008, will take no further part in the on-going championship in South Africa.
"He has been sent home. He will have no further action at this Cup of Nations. His decisions did not tally with best practices of the refereeing profession and we would not allow anyone to start re-writing the rules of the game here," said the official.
Even though his decision is final, Super Eagles will have to bring out their very best on Tuesday in a must-win final Group C clash with the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia if they wish to move into the next round of the competition.
