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The head of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has strongly rejected claims that there was a conflict or an attempted attack by Fouzi Lekjaa, the leader of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), during a Confederation of African Football (CAF) executive committee meeting in Morocco, calling the reports «untrue».

The rejection was made through an official statement addressing comments linked to a French journalist, who stated that Romain Molina said Lekjaa had «lost his temper» after facing criticism regarding the organization and refereeing of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Morocco.

As per online reports, tensions reportedly increased following statements linked to Gusau, who was said to have condemned «irregularities» in the tournament’s management and officiating. These allegations indicated that Lekjaa became enraged, allegedly hurling «personal insults» at the president of the Nigerian federation. SomeAlgerian mediaretailers further fueled the story, claiming that Lekjaa had tried to physically attack his Nigerian colleague.

Gusau, nevertheless, emphasized in hisstatementthat the claim is “without foundation,” stating that he did not participate in any verbal confrontation with Lekjaa, “either during CAF meetings or beyond them.”

He stated that the relations between Nigeria and Morocco are “friendly and outstanding,” both in football and at the official level, noting that his personal relationship with Lekjaa is “good and respectful,” with absolutely no tension. Gusau also firmly denied making any critical comments about the refereeing of the semi-final match between Nigeria and Morocco, which took place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

The Nigerian representative also verified that the NFF had not released any statement, either prior to or following the game, sparking questions regarding the officiating, and labeled the journalist’s assertions as “complete falsehoods.”

On the opposite, Gusau conveyed the Nigerian Football Federation’s gratitude for the general management of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, commending the work of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, the local organizing committee, the Moroccan government, and CAF in guaranteeing the achievement of the continental competition.