BY Nadia Ntiamoah
Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba has expressed deep disappointment over what he believes was a decisive refereeing decision that shaped his side’s exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), following a 2–0 quarter-final defeat to tournament hosts Morocco.
The Indomitable Lions were eliminated in Rabat after conceding two goals from set pieces, but post-match discussions were dominated by controversy surrounding an unawarded penalty in the second half.
The quarter-final clash, played amid high expectations for Cameroon, turned tense after what many observers described as a clear foul on forward Bryan Mbeumo inside the penalty area.
Despite protests from Cameroonian players and officials, referee Dahane Beida waved play on, with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) also declining to intervene.
The decision sparked criticism from sections of the Cameroonian camp and neutral fans, who felt the hosts benefited from key officiating calls.
Speaking after the match, Baleba suggested that the outcome could have been different had the referee awarded the penalty.
The midfielder noted that a goal at that stage would have altered the momentum of the game and possibly unsettled Morocco, who were buoyed by home support.
He, however, stopped short of placing full blame on the officials, acknowledging that refereeing decisions are part of football and that VAR’s failure to overturn the call meant Cameroon had to accept the result.
Morocco capitalised on their opportunities, scoring twice from set pieces to seal victory and book a place in the semi-finals, where they will face the winner Nigeria who defeated Algeria.
Their head coach, Walid Regragui, dismissed suggestions of officiating bias, insisting that his team earned the win on the pitch through discipline and execution.
For Cameroon, the defeat marked a painful end to their AFCON 2025 campaign.
The team, which had shown flashes of resilience earlier in the tournament, leaves Morocco with lingering questions about officiating standards and missed chances.
Baleba admitted that the mood in the camp was one of disappointment, stressing that while Morocco deserved credit for taking their chances, the Lions felt hard done by at a critical moment in the match.
