DR ‹ › The President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has firmly denied allegations of a confrontation or attempted assault by Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), during a Confederation of African Football (CAF) executive committee meeting held in Morocco, describing the claims as «false». The denial came in an official statement responding to remarks attributed to a French journalist, who reported that Romain Molina claimed Lekjaa had «lost his temper» following criticism of the organization and refereeing of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. According to reports circulating online, tensions allegedly escalated after comments attributed to Gusau, in which he was said to have criticized «irregularities» in the tournament's organization and refereeing. These claims suggested that Lekjaa reacted angrily, allegedly directing «personal insults» at the Nigerian federation president. Some Algerian media outlets further amplified the narrative, alleging that Lekjaa had attempted to physically assault his Nigerian counterpart. Gusau, however, stressed in his statement that the account is «baseless», asserting that he did not engage in any verbal altercation with Lekjaa, «either within CAF meetings or outside them». He clarified that relations between Nigeria and Morocco are «friendly and distinguished», both in football and at the official level, adding that his personal relationship with Lekjaa is «good and respectful», with no tension whatsoever. Gusau also categorically denied having made any critical remarks about the refereeing of the semi-final match between Nigeria and Morocco, played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. The Nigerian official further confirmed that the NFF did not issue any statement, either before or after the match, raising concerns about refereeing, describing the journalist's claims as «pure fabrication». On the contrary, Gusau expressed the Nigerian Football Federation's appreciation for the overall organization of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, praising the efforts of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, the local organizing committee, the Moroccan government, and CAF in ensuring the success of the continental tournament.
