AFCON 2023: Why Nigerian Referees Are Not Officiating at Ongoing African Cup of Nations, CAF Speaks

• Nigerian referees have not officiated an African Cup of Nations (AFCON) match in over 18 years, and the reason has been explained
• The Confederation of African Football (CAF) acknowledged how Nigerian referees have been
• However, the CAF head of referees, Noumandiez Doue, said one must be the best to make the log

Legit.ng journalist Segun Adeyemi has over 9 years of experience covering political events, civil societies, courts, and metro

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has explained the exclusion of Nigerian referees from officiating at the Africa Cup of Nations and other continental football tournaments.

Noumandiez Doue, the Head of Refereeing at CAF, addressed the issue during a referee’s training session in Abidjan.

Doue acknowledged the competence of Nigerian referees but emphasised that they must enhance their performance to meet the required standards.

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AFCON 2023: I'm not happy with your performance, Tinubu tells Super Eagles

As quoted by Punch, he said:

“You have good referees in Nigeria and to come to AFCON you have to be the best.

“Good referees are for the Zones, you have to be the best to come to the CAF competitions."

Nigeria’s 18 years wait for a referee at AFCON continues

This clarification comes after 18 years of no Nigerian referees being selected for the biennial competition, sparking discussions and debates among football stakeholders in the country.

In September, Nigerian soccer enthusiasts expressed disappointment over the published referee rosters for the 2023 Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations, which is currently taking place in Cote d’Ivoire in 2024, as none of the referees hailed from Nigeria.

Explaining this decision, Doue stated that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) selects referees based on their exceptional skills rather than settling for referees of average quality.

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AFCON 2023: Super Eagles captain Musa sends crucial message to Tinubu ahead of Cameroon tie

He said:

“Nigeria referees are improving but they need to do more to be among the best because the selection has started in the last one and a half years.

“We are in the scouting process of evaluating and to the end of selection.

“We have different stages, you start from young talent to elite B, elite A, and professional, it’s among the elite B we picked for the AFCON.”

I’m Not Happy With Your Performance, Tinubu Tells Super Eagles ahead of AFCON tie

In another report, the Super Eagles of Nigeria have been charged to up their game ahead of their round of 16 tie on Saturday, January 27.

President Bola Tinubu gave this charge after stating that he was unimpressed by the team's performance.

The Super Eagles will continue their quest for a fourth African Cup of Nations trophy against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in the first knockout stages.

Source: Legit.ng