Nigeria raises concern over CAF’s appointment of South African match officials
By Tosin Omojola –
The decision of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to appoint South African referees for Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup playoff against Gabon on November 13 has sparked negative reactions from officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Some NFF officials have expressed dissatisfaction over the development ahead of the tie in Rabat.
FIFA’s letter of November 3 appointed Tom Abongile as the centre referee, Zakhele Siwela as an assistant referee, and Akhona Makalima as the VAR official.
Hughes Alain Ndjovi from Benin was also appointed as the referees’ assessor for the November 13 encounter.
The appointment of referees from South Africa and Benin Republic has stirred discontent within the NFF, with some officials openly criticizing CAF’s decision.
“How can FIFA appoint a South African refereeing team for our match after what South Africa’s sports minister, Gayton McKenzie, openly said about wishing that Nigeria would not qualify for the World Cup? South Africa is clearly hostile to us,” said a senior NFF official.
Anonymous NFF sources claimed that a protest letter was drafted to CAF and FIFA but was allegedly stopped from being sent by another powerful Nigerian official.
