CAF selects eight Nigerian referees for key African club matches

The Confederation of African Football CAF has appointed eight Nigerian referees to officiate two crucial second leg matches in the CAF Club Competitions. Dr Joseph Ogabor will serve as the centre referee for the CAF Champions League tie between Club Ferroviário da Beira of Mozambique and Mbabane Swallows FC of Eswatini. The match will be played on August 25th at Matola Campo Stadium in Mozambique, with Tejiri Digbori Bensmart and Abdulmajeed Olaide assisting Ogabor, while Grema Mohammed will act as the fourth official.

In the CAF Confederation Cup, Salisu Basheer from Kano will oversee the match between Zesco FC of Zambia and Power Dynamos FC of Zimbabwe. Sam Pwadutakan and Mahmud Mohammed Yakubu will be his assistants, with Nurudeen Oko serving as the fourth official.

These appointments reflect CAF’s trust in Nigerian referees, highlighting the growing recognition of their officiating quality on the continental stage. Both matches are expected to be fiercely contested as teams battle for progression in their respective tournaments.

Editorial

CAF’s decision to appoint eight Nigerian referees for key African club competition matches is a testament to the rising standards of Nigerian officiating on the continent. For years, refereeing has been a crucial aspect of football, and having representatives at this level showcases Nigeria’s growth in this area.

We believe that the selection of referees like Dr Joseph Ogabor and Salisu Basheer highlights the confidence CAF has in Nigerian match officials. With pressure and scrutiny surrounding every decision made on the pitch, these referees must display fairness and consistency, ensuring that the integrity of the competition is upheld.

In recent years, Nigerian referees have made significant strides in both domestic and international matches, which has not gone unnoticed. This appointment is not just about officiating, but a symbol of Nigerian football’s continued rise across multiple areas. It offers hope for further integration of our officials into higher profile matches on the global stage.

We are optimistic that this will pave the way for more Nigerian referees to be involved in even bigger tournaments, raising the country’s football profile. It is moments like these that help solidify Nigeria’s standing in African football, and we look forward to more achievements in the future.

Did You Know?

1. The Confederation of African Football CAF was founded in 1957 and is responsible for overseeing football competitions across the continent.
2. Nigerian referees have been regularly selected for various African tournaments, reflecting their increasing importance in officiating at a continental level.
3. Dr Joseph Ogabor has a history of officiating key African matches and is one of Nigeria’s most respected referees.
4. The CAF Champions League is Africa’s premier club football competition, established in 1964, and features the best teams from across the continent.
5. Zesco FC of Zambia, one of the teams officiated by the Nigerian referees, has been a consistent competitor in African club competitions over the last decade.