CAF overlooks Nigerian Referees for 2023 AFCON

In another setback for Nigerian referees, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has once again excluded them from the list of officials set to oversee the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). This ongoing trend reflects the challenges faced by Nigerian arbiters in gaining recognition from both CAF and the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) in recent years.

None of the Nigerian referees will be part of the officiating team at the upcoming Cote d’Ivoire 2023 AFCON. CAF’s selection comprises representatives from 19 nationalities, with Egypt and Morocco leading the pack, each having three officials. Algeria, Gabon, and Mauritania also secured two representatives each.

The 2023 AFCON finals are scheduled to take place from January 13 to February 11, 2024, and unfortunately, Nigerian referees will not be part of the officiating crew for this prestigious tournament.

As the Super Eagles prepare for the tournament, they find themselves in Group A alongside hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau. The exclusion of Nigerian referees emphasizes the need for continued efforts to address the factors hindering their recognition on the continental stage.