Menzi Magubane
Moroccan supporters were the biggest losers in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) final on Saturday, using lasers to try and distract the Banyana players.
On their way to being crowned queens of Africa, the South African side had to endure an intimidating home crowd of over 58,000 supporters.
Some of these tried to give their side the edge by pointing bright laser beams into the eyes of the Banyana players.
To make matters even worse, flares were used by fans to create smoke around the entire ground, reducing visibility.
But Desiree Ellis’s girls were not to be disrupted by all the dirty tricks as they managed to come out on top and silence the unruly fans, defeating Morocco 2-1.
Theday before the final CAF, president Patrice Motsepe warned the Moroccan fans from using laser beams against Banyana, threatening action for those that do.
Clearly Motsepe’s warning was not taken seriously by the Moroccans.
“We can’t allow lasers to be used, particularly when it is directed at the eyes of the opposition players. It’s unacceptable, so we will have to look at our rules,” said Motsepe.
“If the Moroccon authorities can’t take action then we have to engage with them to see how we can deal with this. It’s something that has no place in football.
In Morocco and Egypt, it has become a common sight to see fans using laser lights directed at opposition players, especially in night matches and no action is taken.
It remains to be seen what kind of action Motsepe will take against the Moroccan fans who were already warned before Saturday’s final. However things are about to change with Motsepe in charge of African football.
Image source: @CAFWomen
