'It wasn't intentional' - Eguavoen tears into Senegalese referee over Iwobi's red card, foul on Ndidi

Augustine Eguavoen tried to hold back but couldn't after he was asked to share his views on the red card handed to Alex Iwobi during his side's 1-0 loss to Tunisia at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday night.

Seven minutes after the former Arsenal star came off the bench to replace Kelechi Iheanacho, he took the walk of shame after a VAR review upgraded a yellow card to a red.

Iwobi was deemed to have stamped on the ankle of Tunisia goalscorer Youssef Msakni as he controlled the ball, leading to his sending off.

Eguavoen does not think it was the right call by the Senegalese referee Maguette N'Diaye, claiming it was Iwobi's first offense, but in actual fact the Nigeria attacking midfielder already gave away a free-kick prior to the red card incident.

The 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner tore into the referee for his lack of consistency during the game, questioning him for not awarding a free-kick after a foul on Ndidi.

"It's a little bit difficult, I don't like to talk too much about referees because they are the masters but there's nothing wrong if one makes his observations," Eguavoen told reporters.

"Iwobi's red card I don't think was the first foul and it wasn't intentional also but we have to look at the VAR later and see.

"However, first offense I don't think demands a red card, it wasn't dangerous play and then right in his face I can see one of the most gentlemen in the team Wilfred Ndidi got smashed right in front of the referee.

"Ndidi hardly complains, he complained which means it was a clear foul but having said that we gained advantage to move on on breakaways and then he recalls it and gives us fouls.

"Normally in the game of football when there's a foul and there's an advantageous position you let it run so that's just the only thing I see but again you know the referee is a gentleman and he should be able to control his emotions once the game is on.

"Everywhere is tensed up, it has happened there is nothing we can do about it."

Iwobi's red card against Tunisia was his first in Nigeria colours since he made his debut seven years ago in an international friendly against Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel