Nigerians Slam FIFA Over South African Referees for Crucial World Cup Clash
FIFA’s decision to appoint a team of South African match officials for Nigeria’s crucial World Cup playoff against Gabon has ignited a wave of controversy and backlash among Nigerian football fans and commentators.
The Super Eagles are set to face Gabon on November 13 in Morocco, one of two semi-final fixtures in the African World Cup playoff series. The winner will advance to face either DR Congo or Cameroon in the final, with the victor earning Africa’s sole spot in the intercontinental playoff.
South African referee Tom Abongile has been named the centre official for the Nigeria-Gabon clash, with compatriots Zakhele Siwela and Akhona Makalima serving as assistant referee and Video Assistant Referee (VAR), respectively. Hughes Ndjovi from Benin Republic will act as the referee assessor.
The appointments have stirred concern due to the recent history between Nigeria, South Africa, and Benin Republic—all of whom were in Group C of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Nigeria secured a playoff berth after defeating Benin 4–0 on the final day, while South Africa topped the group and qualified automatically.
Their campaign, however, was marred by FIFA’s reversal of a win over Lesotho due to the use of an ineligible player—a sanction South Africa’s sports minister, Gayton McKenzie, controversially blamed on Nigeria.
McKenzie’s public statement expressing his desire to see Nigeria miss out on World Cup qualification has intensified scrutiny over the neutrality of South African officials in a match involving the Super Eagles.
Social media erupted with criticism following the announcement. Suleiman Adebayo, a photojournalist known as Pooja on X, called for an urgent review of the officiating team. “In fairness and sentiments, South African officials shouldn’t be appointed by CAF to officiate Nigeria vs. Gabon,” he wrote. “A sitting minister in South Africa on tape said he doesn’t want Nigeria to qualify… CAF should rethink this fast.”
Another user, Kappo Ebenezer Sewanu, expressed frustration with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), accusing it of inaction. “The sad thing is NFF will not act on this info,” he tweeted. “Just like they didn’t act when about three countries played their home matches in South Africa, putting Nigeria at a demerit.”
As the match approaches, pressure is mounting on CAF and FIFA to reconsider the appointments amid concerns over fairness and impartiality. The outcome of the Nigeria-Gabon clash could determine not just a World Cup spot, but also the credibility of officiating in high-stakes African football.
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