Nigerian referees have once again been excluded from officiating in the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), as announced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This continues a trend where Nigerian officials have faced challenges in gaining recognition from both CAF and FIFA in recent years.
Key Points:
- CAF’s Selection: CAF has selected officials from 19 different nationalities for the 2023 AFCON, with Egypt and Morocco having three representatives each. Algeria, Gabon, and Mauritania have two officials each.
- Previous Editions: In the 2019 edition, no Nigerian referee was selected. However, in the 2017 edition, Abel Baba made the cut as an assistant referee. Peter Edibe was on the list at the 2015 and 2013 editions.
- Group Stage Draw: The Super Eagles are drawn in Group A alongside hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau. The tournament is scheduled to take place from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
- Historical Perspective: Over the last six editions, only three Nigerian referees have been selected for officiating roles in the AFCON. This underscores the challenges faced by Nigerian officials in gaining recognition for continental duties.
The exclusion of Nigerian referees from the officiating team at the 2023 AFCON raises questions about the criteria used in the selection process and may lead to discussions about improving representation for officials from different African nations in future tournaments
