Egypt Coach Queiroz Blasts Referee After Loss to Super Eagles Over Penalty Shout

• Egypt manager Carlos Queiroz has lashed out at referee Bakary Gassama following the Pharaohs’ defeat to Nigeria in their AFCON 2021 opening game
• The North Africans had a penalty shout in the second half after Moses Simon brought down Zizo inside the box but referee Gassama only blew for a free-kick
• Kelechi Iheanacho’s first-half strike was enough to hand the Pharaohs their first group game defeat for 18 years

Egypt head coach Carlos Queiroz has criticized centre referee Bakary Gassama following the Pharaohs’ 1-0 defeat to the Super Eagles in their opening game of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Kingfut reports.

The Pharaohs who are tipped as one of the favorites for the tournament were stunned in their first game after a Kelechi Iheanacho first-half strike condemned Egypt to their first group stage loss in 18 years at the AFCON.

Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shennawy was the hero for the Pharaohs as he kept out more attempts by the Nigerians making crucial saves to prevent Taiwo Awoniyi, Chidera Ejuke and Moses Simon from doubling the Super Eagles advantage.

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Star forward Mohammed Salah had an uninspiring game leading the attack as he was largely caged by the brilliance of the defensive partnership of Ekong and Omeruo limiting the Liverpool top scorer to just one shot on target.

Meanwhile, Complete Sports reports that Egypt coach Carlos Queiroz has now lashed out at the centre referee Bakary Gassama after Egypt were denied what looked like a clear penalty appeal for the Pharaohs.

With the game at 1-0, Eagles winger Moses Simon appeared to have tripped Egyptiian forward Zizo inside the 18-yard box but Gassama would only give a freekick to Egypt much to the frustration of Carlos Queiros.

“In the second half, there was a very clear penalty for us that the referee didn’t award and the VAR did not intervene,” Queiroz said in his pre match conference.

“May be at that time, the VAR was not working.

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“There was clearly a penalty. It wasn’t our day; it wasn’t also a good day for the refereeing. Even my grandmother would have awarded it a penalty.

“It is a disaster because there are VAR referees. It is unacceptable. Watch the incident yourself. It’s unbelievable that with all these referees, no one noticed the penalty.”

Egypt will next play Guinea-Bissau on Saturday January 15 for their second game in group D as they seek to bounce back from their shock loss and maintain a good chance of booking a round of 16 spot.

AFCON Viewers Baffled With Egypt's Surprising Formation Against Super Eagles in Cameroon

Earlier Sportsbrief reported Football fans were on Tuesday night, January 11, left baffled with the 5-5-0 formation that Egypt used against Nigeria in their first match at the ongoing 2021 African Cup of Nations.

Before the encounter, Egyptian players were given an edge to overcome the Super Eagles of Nigeria because of Liverpool star Mohamed Salah who is their captain.