Zimbabwe head coach Michael Nees differed with his Harambee Stars counterpart Engin Firat over the level of officiating during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Friday, September 6, 2024.
Firat felt that the Senegalese referee, Diouf Adalbert, did not carry out his duties fairly and unbiasedly, but Zimbabwe’s tactician has offered a different perspective.
To Firat, the referee might have helped Zimbabwe in the goalless draw against Kenya that was held at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.
“The referee should not help to defend the team; he should look at what is going on and decide. There were many situations in which I didn’t understand what he saw in the match because he gave many fouls against us, specifically (against) Eric Johana, and when Austin (Odhiambo) had a situation that would have been a penalty for us,” Firat said, as quoted by a local publication.
On the other hand, Nees said Adalbert was calm during the match, shielding him against Firat’s accusation.
“Look from a coaching position; you don’t have the best view if the decisions are always right. You think you have the best view when it’s against your team; you protest; he must have made a mistake. But I think he officiated very calmly,” Nees said, as quoted by a local publication.
Bookings
Firat pointed out that John Takwara should have been booked for his tackle against Kenya’s Amos Nondi in the second half. Nees, again, said that the Senegalese did his work in a fair way.
“I think one time they wanted to die for a penalty. But the coaching bench position is not the best to really evaluate a referee’s performance. It’s very subjective. You may understand; I had a better view. But solid, no real mistakes, and a good game from him,” Nees added.
The German tactician also analysed the bookings his players received and the situations that led to that decision by the official.
“The yellow card against Khama [Billiat] was correct, yes. Against Gerrard [Takwara], yes, you can give. He didn’t overreact because their bench was always jumping up with every referee’s decision, so he stayed calm. I think the referee had a good game. He didn’t get nervous or so,” he concluded.
Kenya will travel to South Africa, where they will face Namibia in the second qualifier on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.
