Nigeria Referee might be placed on International duty in the year 2024 after FIFA places 11 Nigerian referees, and 11 assistant referees on the 2024 international lists
Nigerian match officials have struggled to get the nod to officiate in the biggest football competition in Africa for years, and the negative trend continues at the 34th edition of the AFCON.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) snubbed Nigerian referees for the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Ivory Coast next year by naming 32 referees from 19 different countries with the likes of Egypt and Morocco boasting of three referees each.
The last time a Nigeria officiated at the AFCON was when Abel Baba was the only one selected for assistant refereeing duties in 2017, while Peter Edibe got the nod for center refereeing duties at the 2013 and 2015 editions.
But things might change in the year 2024 as the World football governing body, FIFA has approved a total of 30 Nigerian referees to be placed on the international lists for the year 2024, among them 11 referees, 11 assistant referees, four beach soccer referees, and four futsal referees.
In a message conveyed to the Nigeria Football Federation, the 11 referees approved for international duty from Nigeria for next year are Basheer Salisu, Ogabor Odey Joseph, Olufunmilayo Abigael Alaba, Nurudeen Abubakar, Abdulsalam Kasimu Abiola, Elaigwe Hannah Enekole, Akintoye Yemisi Eunice, Egba Patrick John, Madu Ndidi Patience, Mustapha Grema Mohammed, and Abdullahi Abubakar.
The 11 persons approved as assistant referees are Pwadutakam Samuel, Igudia Efosa Celestine, Abibatu Iyadunni, Muhammad Yakubu, Mfon Friday Akpan, Digbori Tejiri, Usman Abdulmajeed Olaide, Igho Hope Ogenekewe, Terah Kabenda Beauty, Ahmad Mustapha Tijjani and Agbons Faith.
Ukah Ndubuisi Odigomma, Musa Dung Davou, Umuago Paul Akpome, and Bello Zuru Alhassan were put on the futsal soccer list, while Ogunmuyiwa Jelili, Fawole Olawale Adeolu, Olajide Olayinka and Rabiu Ahmad were listed for beach soccer.
