BY SAB OSUJI

Exclusivenews.com.ng can report today that Rivers United lost the CAF Confederation Cup quarter final return leg match to USM Algiers following the Absence of Video Assistant Referee, VAR, during the match.

CAF had prior to the 2023/2024 inter club competitions ruled that from quarter finals, there must be VAR in every single match.

CAF on its part, is responsible for flying in the VAR equipments and personnel to mann it during the games. 

During the quarter first leg match at Godswill Akpabio Stadium, VAR was used. But on reaching Algiers for the reverse fixture, there was no VAR at the match venue.

Ironically, there was no protest by the Nigerian officials, either to the Match Commissioner or to CAF Headquarters in Cairo.

Rather than complain, the Nigerian team officials were alleged to be engaged in series meetings on which formation to be adopted and players to fielded.

"When we hosted the first leg, VAR was in use. But coming here, (in Algeria), there was no VAR", a Rivers United source narrated bitterly.

"This is against the CAF Guideline before the competition started that from the quarter finals, VAR will be used at every single match venue.

"Interestingly, this is at no cost to the home team because CAF flies in the equipments and personnel to man them.

"It's so sad that our officials did not complain nor protest when it was obvious that VAR wasn't going to be used during the game. 

"At least, our officials supposed to have complained to the match commissioner in writing and followed it up with protest to CAF.

"If VAR had been used, we would have qualified because, the Algerians' first goal in the second half would have chalked off because, it came from off side position, too glaring to be ignored and VAR would have cancelled it.

"Again, if there was VAR, one of Algerians player would have been red-carded in the second half for harsh challeng on our player. But instead, he was merely yellow-carded", the source narrated.