'Iwobi was a bit dangerous on Tunisia player' - Okocha insists ref made right call on nephew's foul

Nigeria legend Austin Okocha believes there was no way Alex Iwobi wouldn't be shown a red card for dangerous play during the second half of the Super Eagles' 1-0 loss to Tunisia in a round of 16 clash at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday night.

Seven minutes after entering the game as a substitute, Iwobi was red carded for a heavy challenge on Youssef Msakni as he controlled the ball.

Nigeria's caretaker boss for the game, Augustine Eguavoen argued that the number 18 did not deserve a harsh punishment but Okocha, Iwobi's uncle, is of the opinion that his nephew's action merited a red card for dangerous play whether it was intentional or not.

Speaking on punditry duties for SuperSport, Okocha said : "As a player we always try to retain possession especially when you've had a bad touch but also the referee dished out yellow first because he realized that it wasn't dangerous play until the VAR called him.

"And when they look at replays, sometimes they tell a different story and when we saw that replay I said it that he's off, whether it was intentional, whatever, he was a bit dangerous on the Tunisian player but that wasn't his intention.

"I mean these referees play to the book. We've had a bad day and when it rains it pours."

Youssef Msakni's strike shortly after the interval proved the difference in the round of 16 clash.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel