FIFA names Allaou for Lesotho vs Nigeria World Cup qualifier
World football governing body, FIFA, has appointed Chadian referee Alhadi Allaou Mahamat to officiate next week’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Crocodiles of Lesotho.
The Matchday 9 fixture is scheduled for the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa, on Friday, 10 October 2025, with kick-off at 6:00 p.m. South Africa time (5:00 p.m. Nigeria time).
Allaou, who also officiated Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Uyo on 6 September (Matchday 7), will be assisted by compatriots Bogola Issa (assistant referee 1), Moussa Hafiz (assistant referee 2), and Abdelkerim Ousmane (fourth official).
FIFA has also appointed Kenyan official Alice Damaris Kimani as referee assessor, while William Makinati Shongwe from Eswatini will serve as match commissioner.
Nigeria, currently three points behind group leaders Benin Republic and second-placed South Africa, will be aiming for an outright win to boost their chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico next summer.
