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Nigeria will have no match officials at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, but the Nigeria Referees Association insists CAF did not sideline the country, Footynaija.com reports.
NRA President Sani Zubairu (FIFA Rtd) clarified that Nigeria was represented in the selection process, revealing that two FIFA-graded officials were invited to the mandatory pre-tournament programme.
“It is wrong to say Nigeria officials were neglected or ignored, we were invited,” he told the Telegraph.
The two referees, a centre referee and an assistant referee, attended a CAF training course in Egypt but failed the required physical and technical assessments.
CAF appoints Match Officials for TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025.
— CAF Media (@CAF_Media) November 27, 2025
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As a result, they were not included in the final shortlist.
“Unfortunately, our referees did not pass the physical and technical test and were dropped,” Zubairu confirmed. “Once you are invited, it’s a screening exercise… the officials that are going to be used for the tournament are picked.”
CAF recently released its 73-man officiating team comprising 28 referees, 31 assistant referees and 14 VAR officials. Countries such as Ghana, Senegal, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin and Niger made the cut. Nigeria, a three-time AFCON champion, was the only former winner in West Africa without a single official on the list.
CAF said the selections align with its goal of promoting “refereeing excellence” across the continent.
Zubairu added that Nigeria is already training younger referees, aiming to ensure stronger representation in future AFCON and World Cup cycles.
