Referee makes a bizarre decision... A blatant penalty for Gabon against Nigeria not awarded even after VAR review

This episode could have cost Gabon the victory.

Details: Today, in the World Cup qualifying playoff, Nigeria faced Gabon. However, this match was remembered not only for the intensity on the pitch but also for a major scandal involving the officiating crew.

The key moment came in the 55th minute, when Gabon launched a rapid attack down the right wing, followed by a cross into Nigeria's penalty area. There, in a battle for the ball, Gabon's number 2 went down right in front of goal after being clearly held by a Nigerian defender—an obvious penalty for Gabon.

However, the referee saw it differently: even after the main official, Abongile Tom, reviewed the incident on VAR, he decided not to award a spot-kick to Gabon, despite clear footage showing a foul had been committed.

This incident sparked a storm of protest, both on the pitch and in the stands.

As it stands, the match has gone into extra time, with Nigeria leading 2-1 in the 104th minute.

Reminder: Nigeria vs Gabon: kick-off time, how to watch, live stream - November 13, 2025