The Super Eagles of Nigeria defeated their long-aged rivals, Cameroon, with a score of two goals to nil to advance to the quarterfinal of the competition
The first goal scored by Semi Ajayi for the Super Eagles of Nigeria against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon has sparked discussions among fans and experts, shedding light on a less-known aspect of the rulebook, Soccernet.ng reports.
Typically, the offside line is determined in relation to the last but one player behind, commonly the last defender before the goalkeeper.
However, the controversy arose when Cameroon’s goalkeeper, Fabrice Ondoa, quickly advanced off his line, positioning himself ahead of a defender.
Watch the video here:
In this unique scenario of Law 11 of IFAB rules, the goalkeeper becomes the last but one player, serving as the point where the offside line is drawn. Consequently, Semi Ajayi and Victor Osimhen, positioned behind Ondoa, are considered offside.
The intricacy deepens as the Cameroon defender on the goal line is then deemed the goalkeeper in this altered scenario.
The goal was subsequently cancelled, with the reason being that Osimhen and Ajayi, found in an offside position, were obstructing the view of the Cameroon player on the line.
This interpretation of the offside rule has sparked debate over its fairness and practicality. Fans are divided on whether it adds complexity or confusion to the game, while analysts weigh in on the need for clarity in officiating such scenarios.
This post was last modified on January 28, 2024 6:41 pm
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I want CAF to clearified these so call new rule in case the last player behind pole use his hand to touch or catch the ball. Is it penalty or not. That is we will have two goalkeeper in the game.
exactly
....And the actual goal keeper can no longer catches the ball with hands if the player at the line becomes the new keeper.
according to the rules, If the player acting as the goalkeeper handles the ball inside the penalty area and then the actual goalkeeper also handles the ball inside the penalty area afterwards, there is no immediate infringement of the rules. The actual goalkeeper is allowed to handle the ball inside the penalty area, and it does not result in any penalty.
However, it's worth noting that if the player acting as the goalkeeper handles the ball inside the penalty area and then deliberately passes it to the actual goalkeeper, who handles it, this could be considered a violation. Deliberately passing the ball back to the goalkeeper using any part of the body other than the foot, in a manner where the goalkeeper handles it, is an offense known as "back-pass" and results in an indirect free kick for the opposing team from the spot where the goalkeeper handled the ball.
In summary, while both instances of handling the ball by the goalkeepers inside the penalty area are permissible, any deliberate pass-back from the player acting as the goalkeeper to the actual goalkeeper could result in an indirect free kick for the opposing team.
Unfortunately, according to the rules, the player acting as the goalkeeper has the same privileges as the regular goalkeeper, meaning they are allowed to handle the ball with their hands within the penalty area.
Ajayi goal is not offside because there's Cameroon player on the goal line. go back and watch it.
Am yet to read any convincing or clarified reason why this Ajayi goal is being canceled. If it is new rules, why starting with Afcon....is this a day robbery on Nigeria or what? Not only CAF but also FiFA must come out with concrete explanations to the whole world of Football
The Nigerian disallowed goal in Nigeria/Cameroun game was actually an offside goal. The rule says two players must be behind the ball before any opponent in front of goal will not be offside. The keeper, who was also a player that many don't count was out of the goal poles leaving a player as a replacement in goal poles while we have two Nigerian players in front of the player in post. That player in pole was now the first and only player behind the ball (Which is always the keeper most time offside is being called). The problem with this rules is that we dont always see the goal keeper as a player himself, we just think one player must be ahead of you before you will not be in offside position. This is the third time I will be seeing this rules played out in a football games. Always know that offside is not having one player ahead of the opposition players but two, the goal keeper is one of them most times.
This would be a foolish rule which would make scoring unattractive as all 11 player on noticed of attack from opponent tactically move into the way to place all but a defender behind offensive players.
As at when the last shot was taken no Nigeria player was offside. So
The Nigerian disallowed goal in Nigeria/Cameroun game was actually an offside goal. The rule says two players must be behind the ball before any opponent in front of goal will not be offside. The keeper, who was also a player that many don’t count was out of the goal poles leaving a player as a replacement in goal poles while we have two Nigerian players in front of the player in poles. That player in pole was now the first and only player behind the ball (Which is always the keeper most time offside is being called). The problem with this rules is that we dont always see the goal keeper as a player himself, we just think one player must be ahead of you before you will not be in offside position where as, they must be two; the last man and the keeper. This is the third time I will be seeing this rules played out in a football games. Always know that offside is not having one player ahead of the opposition players but two, the goal keeper is one of them most times.