The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has published the roster of referees and officials chosen for the preparatory course in advance of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) set for December.
However, the list notably does not include any referees from Nigeria, a situation that has sparked renewed worries about the quality of officiating in the nation.
According to a source familiar with CAF, this exclusion is mainly due to a deficiency in adequate VAR training and practical experience, which has become an essential criterion for officiating at significant CAF and FIFA events.
“One of the primary requirements is a minimum of 25 hours of VAR training and practice. Currently, none of our referees fulfill that requirement except for one or two, and even they do not have enough practical experience,” the source disclosed.
In addition to technical deficiencies, Nigerian referees also face challenges related to their image and public perception, largely driven by domestic criticisms.
The source mentioned a Nigerian referee who was initially selected for the CHAN tournament but was removed after an ethical petition was lodged against him—another blow to Nigeria’s credibility in continental officiating.
“We can’t continuously criticize our referees publicly and anticipate that others will view them differently.”
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“When we label them as corrupt or unqualified, it tarnishes their international standing,” the source stated.
Observers contend that the West African Football Union (WAFU), particularly among Anglophone nations, needs to put more effort into referee education and the incorporation of VAR.
While Francophone countries like Côte d’Ivoire have implemented organized VAR programs and competitions, Anglophone nations, including Nigeria, continue to fall behind.
Conversely, Southern African (COSAFA) countries have created robust VAR training systems and frequently collaborate with WAFU nations to enhance refereeing capabilities.
Despite Nigeria’s rich football tradition, no referee from the country has officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations since 2019.
This troubling decline necessitates immediate action from stakeholders, including the Nigeria Football Federation and the media.
CAF has selected 101 referees from various countries across the continent for a preparatory course scheduled for November 8–13 in Cairo, Egypt.
The course will include physical fitness evaluations, technical assessments, and sessions covering the latest refereeing technologies, including VAR applications.
Only referees who complete the program successfully will be eligible to officiate at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
