FIFA’s appointment of a team of South African match officials for Nigeria’s World Cup playoff clash against Gabon has sparked outrage among Nigerians, who argue that the decision raises concerns of bias.
The Super Eagles are set to face Gabon on November 13 in one of the two semi-finals of the African World Cup playoffs taking place in Morocco. The winner will advance to play either Congo DR or Cameroon in the final for Africa’s sole slot in the intercontinental playoff.
South Africa’s Tom Abongile has been named the centre referee for the Nigeria-Gabon encounter. He will be assisted by compatriot Zakhele Siwela, while Akhona Makalima, also from South Africa, will serve as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). Hughes Ndjovi from Benin Republic will act as the referee assessor.
The appointments have drawn criticism from Nigerian fans, as both South Africa and Benin Republic were in Group C alongside Nigeria during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Nigeria defeated Benin 4-0 on the final day to qualify as one of the best runners-up, while South Africa topped the group to secure an automatic World Cup ticket.
The controversy deepened following past tensions between the two nations. South Africa’s sports minister, Gayton McKenzie, had blamed Nigeria for a FIFA sanction that saw his country punished for fielding an ineligible player. McKenzie also publicly stated he did not want Nigeria to qualify for the World Cup.
Suleiman Adebayo, a photo-journalist known as Pooja on X, condemned the decision, saying, “In fairness and sentiments, South African officials shouldn’t be appointed by CAF to officiate Nigeria vs. Gabon in this WC playoffs in Morocco.”
He added, “A sitting minister in South Africa on tape said he doesn’t want Nigeria to qualify for the WC & CAF had to appoint South Africans as the centre ref, AR & VR in a game involving Nigeria? Even the Ref Assessor is from the Benin Republic. CAF should rethink this fast.”
Another X user, Kappo Ebenezer Sewanu, urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to intervene. “The sad thing is NFF will not act on this info,” he tweeted. “Just like they didn’t act when about three counties played their home matches in South Africa putting Nigeria at a demerit whilst SA enjoyed home support throughout the WC campaign. They will pay attention to little details like this.”
The NFF has yet to issue an official statement on the controversy.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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