No penalty decision by the VAR was a correct call – NFF President Amaju Pinnick

President of the Nigerian Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick has stated that the VAR decision to cancel a penalty initially awarded Nigeria against Ghana in the 2022 World Cup qualifier was the correct call.

Nigeria was awarded a penalty in the 76th minute when the referee pointed to the spot after the ball had struck the hand of Ghanaian midfielder Iddrisu Baba.

However, the official reversed his decision after a VAR review, which showed that Baba had been fouled in the build-up, prompting screams of joy and relief from the largely Ghanaian crowd.

“I think the referee did well. It was a correct call. The Nigerian player pushed Baba Iddrisu and that made him touch the ball,” Pinnick stated on Akoma FM.

“We have no problem with officiating. However, will win convincingly at home. Our team is better but we were unfortunate today. Football is football.”

The Black Stars of Ghana will travel to Nigeria for the return leg after a goalless draw game at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium last night.

The Black Stars will be hoping to book one of the available slots for Africa and make it to their fourth FIFA World Cup tournament which will be hosted in Qatar later this year.

Ghana will need a win or a scoring draw to secure qualification to the World Cup finals in Qatar, while Nigeria must win to advance.

The second tie will take place at Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.

The winner of the tie will compete in the World Cup finals in Qatar later this year.