The Confederation of African Football CAF has appointed Nigerian referees to officiate the upcoming 2025 CHAN zonal qualifying playoffs, set to begin on Friday, 25 October 2024. Salisu Basheer, from the Kano State Referee Council, will officiate the WAFU B zonal qualifying match between Togo and Benin Republic, taking place at the Kengue Stadium in Lome.
Basheer will be assisted by Usman Olaide Abdulmajeed from Oyo State and Tejiri Digbori Bensmart from Delta State, who will serve as Assistant Referees 1 and 2, respectively. Grema Mohammed, another Nigerian official, will act as the fourth official for the match. This appointment reflects the continued confidence CAF has shown in Nigerian referees, who have regularly been called upon for international and continental matches in recent months.
Joseph Ogabor, for instance, officiated a key AFCON qualifier between Comoros and Tunisia in 2024, while other Nigerian referees, including Abdusalam Kazzim and Mahmoud Yakubu, are also on duty for the WAFU Men U20 competition, which kicked off in Togo on October 17.
Editorial
The consistent appointment of Nigerian referees by the CAF to oversee important continental matches highlights the growing respect and trust in Nigerian officials on the international stage. Refereeing is a critical part of the game, and Nigeria’s representation in these roles across Africa signifies not only their professionalism but also the country’s growing influence in African football governance.
Referees like Salisu Basheer and his team demonstrate the dedication to excellence that Nigerian referees bring to every match. With Basheer at the helm for the CHAN 2025 qualifying playoff between Togo and Benin Republic, CAF is placing its faith in the ability of Nigerian arbiters to ensure fair play and integrity.
This trust in Nigerian referees reflects positively on the country’s footballing ecosystem and is a recognition of the efforts made by the Nigerian Football Federation in developing world-class officials. It is a point of pride for Nigerian football, and it sets an example for future referees who aspire to make their mark on the international stage.
Did You Know?
- CHAN African Nations Championship is a tournament reserved for players who play in their domestic leagues in Africa, unlike AFCON, which features all eligible players, including those based abroad.
- Nigeria’s national team, the Super Eagles, has qualified for CHAN on multiple occasions but has never won the tournament.
- The role of referees in football is critical, and they are often rigorously tested and evaluated by bodies like CAF and FIFA to ensure they meet international standards.
- Nigerian referees have been increasingly recognized for their competence, with several officiating high-profile games in AFCON and other CAF competitions.
- The WAFU B zone, which includes countries like Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria, is one of the most competitive regions in African football.
