Nigeria vs South Africa: Journalist Explains Why Super Eagles Might Lose WCQ Qualifier
- South Africa will host Nigeria in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on September 9
- The World football governing body, FIFA, has appointed officials for the must-win encounter for the Super Eagles
- A Nigerian journalist has raised the danger posed by the officials to the country's chances of qualifying
The chances of the Super Eagles qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico are getting slimmer as the day passes by.
Niger are currently struggling in the CAF Qualification Group C, which has South Africa, Rwanda, Benin Republic, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe.
The three-time AFCON winner will take on Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, on Saturday, September 6, in a must-win encounter.
Source: Getty Images
FIFA appoints referee for South Africa clash
The World football governing body has appointed Gabonese official Pierre Ghislain Atcho as the center referee for the match between Nigeria and South Africa.
According to Arise TV, matchday 8 is scheduled to take place at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein next Tuesday, September 9.
The Gabonese will be assisted by Boris Marlaise Ditsoga, Amos Abeigne Ndong and Cregue Fleury Moukagni will serve as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official, respectively.
The referee assessor for the encounter is Olivier Safari Kabene of DR Congo, while the commissioner is Mike Letti of Uganda.
Source: Getty Images
Nigerian journalist raises alarm
Nigeria football journalist Fisayo Dairo has alerted the authorities to the dangers posed by Gabon referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho.
In a viral post on X, the NPFL expert recalled that the Super Eagles' only loss in Group C, came when he handled their match against the Benin Republic.
He explained that this is the second time a crucial match is entrusted to the referee by the world football-governing body. He wrote:
"FLASH: Gabon referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho will handle Tuesday’s crucial #2026WCQ between South Africa and Nigeria.
"It’s the 2nd time he will handle Nigeria’s game in this series, the last being the 1-2 loss to Benin last year when he was drafted in late for the game."
Fans react
@Africa_ftbl said:
"I don't trust this man. He was the one that disallowed Lookman's goal
"CAF know what they are doing. Giving us a Libyan coach for tomorrow's game and now, this man. Their plans will backfire.
@Cybereagles wrote:
"@CAF_Online and @FIFAcom still don't see the need to deploy VAR for World Cup Qualifiers.
"They forget that the World Cup starts before the proper tournament.
"With all the money they have, they still don't want to use VAR for qualifiers."
Nigeria are currently sitting in fourth place with seven points in the 2026 CAF Qualification Group C, per NBC Sports.
Read also
2026 WCQ: South Africa coach explains what will happen should his side fail to beat Lesotho
Hugo Broos explains what will happen of SA fails to beat Lesotho
Legit.ng earlier reported that head coach of the South African national football team, Hugo Broos, seems apprehensive ahead of their game against Lesotho.
Broos understands that the stakes are high as the group leaders will go nine points clear of Nigeria, should they win the encounter.
Source: Legit.ng
