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By Amaechi Agbo

Nigeria Club, Plateau United have had their quest to qualify for the group stage of the CAF Champions League being cut short after a controversial penalty awarded to Esperance of Tunisia handed them a 1-0 defeat on Saturday.

Thrailling 2-1 in the first leg in Abuja, Esperance needed just 1-0 minimum scoreline to book their place into the group stage. And Egyptian referee, Ibrahim Nour El Din,who seemed to be “acting a script” with many controversial calls gave them the needed lifeline in the 83rd minute.

And in a match characterised by questionable calls by the Egyptian referee, the Nigerians had their hard work nullified in the 83rd after a dubious penalty was awarded to the Tunisians.

Ben Romdhane converted the spot kick to ensure that the four-time champions qualified for the group stage on away goal rule after the aggregate result ended 2-2.

Sports followers are wondering why Africa’s football ruling body, Confederation of Africa Football, CAF would allow North African referees to officiate a match involving a team from the same region

The entre referees, Ibrahim Nour El Din, from Egypt awarded a dubious penalty after an Esperance player was fouled outside the 18 yard box.

Plateau United while confirming the result if the match on their Twitter, said they are trying to understand how it was a penalty

“FT@ESTuniscom 1-0 PUFC
Romdhane’s 83rd minute penalty is the decider. But we are still trying to understand how that is a penalty.”