FIFA has appointed South African match officials for the first leg of the 2026 World Cup playoff between Nigeria and Gabon, a decision that has drawn criticism from some sections of Nigerian football supporters.
The appointment was confirmed in an official FIFA announcement issued on November 3, which named Tom Abongile as the center referee for the match scheduled to take place on November 13 in Rabat, Morocco.
Alongside Abongile, two other South African officials, Zakhele Siwela and Akhona Makalima, have been designated as the assistant referee and VAR coordinator, respectively.
Additionally, a referee assessor from Benin Republic will supervise the match officiating standards.
These appointments fall under FIFA’s Referees Committee, which regularly selects officials for international competitions.
Concerns have been voiced by officials within the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
An NFF representative, speaking through journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, expressed unease about the choice of South African officials.
This concern is primarily rooted in the historically strained football relations between Nigeria and South Africa, particularly regarding major continental and World Cup qualifying fixtures in recent years.
The appointments have also sparked reactions among Nigerian supporters, who are questioning whether impartiality will be maintained in this high-stakes qualification match.
Some analysts have cited past diplomatic tensions and football rivalries as reasons why the decision may be perceived as controversial.
Nigeria advanced to the playoff stage after securing a late victory over Benin Republic in October, while Gabon progressed from its own qualifying group.
The winner of this two-legged tie is expected to face either the DR Congo or Cameroon in the final round of Africa’s qualification process for the 2026 World Cup.
