FIFA’s decision to appoint a South African officiating team for Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup playoff first leg against Gabon has sparked outrage among Nigerian football fans and officials, who have questioned the neutrality of the move.
According to a FIFA letter dated 3 November 2025, South Africa’s Tom Abongile will serve as the centre referee, with Zakhele Siwela as assistant referee and Akhona Makalima handling Video Assistant Referee (VAR) duties. The referee assessor for the match, which will take place on 13 November at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, will come from Benin Republic.
A senior Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) official expressed concern over the appointment, describing it as “baffling” given the frosty football relations between Nigeria and South Africa. The official also referred to a previous comment made by a South African sports minister, who had openly stated that he hoped Nigeria would not qualify for the World Cup.
“How can FIFA appoint a South African referee after their sports minister openly said he wished Nigeria would not qualify? South Africa are clearly hostile to us,” the official said.
The decision has also drawn widespread criticism on social media, with many Nigerians questioning the fairness of the appointments.
Media personality Pooja, writing on X, said, “In fairness and sentiments, South African officials shouldn’t be appointed to officiate Nigeria vs Gabon in this World Cup playoff in Morocco.”
Other football supporters also echoed similar views, arguing that the decision could influence the match and called on the NFF to lodge an official protest to FIFA.
“A sitting minister in South Africa said he doesn’t want Nigeria to qualify, and CAF still appointed South Africans as referee, assistant, and VAR officials? CAF should rethink this fast,” one fan wrote online.
Despite the uproar, the appointments are unlikely to change, as FIFA’s Referees Committee typically makes such selections independently to ensure neutrality and transparency.
Nigeria reached the playoff round after a hard-fought victory over Benin Republic in October. The Super Eagles will face Gabon with the winner set to meet either DR Congo or Cameroon in the final round of World Cup qualification
