The tension around Nigeria’s route to the 2026 World Cup has grown stronger as FIFA confirmed that three officials from South Africa will take charge of the Super Eagles match against Gabon, Footynaija.com reports.
This appointment arrives at a moment when Nigeria are preparing for a demanding playoff phase after finishing second in Group C, a group where South Africa finished top and secured the automatic qualification spot.
With the Super Eagles now relying on the playoff path, every decision in Morocco carries extra weight. The rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa remains one of the most widely discussed on the continent.
Their meetings in the group phase added extra pressure, including the tense 1-1 draw in Bloemfontein, where an own goal from William Troost Ekong and an equaliser from Calvin Bassey shaped the narrative of missed opportunities.
Nigeria needed maximum points from those encounters in order to challenge for first place in the group, but the results strengthened South Africa’s position and left Nigeria with a more demanding qualification route.
Their meetings span decades, and both nations understand the sensitive nature of any decision that may influence a high stakes fixture such as a World Cup playoff. FIFA’s choice of match officials therefore enters an already heightened environment.
According to UK based journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, FIFA appointed Tom Abongile as the centre referee, Zakhele Siwela as the assistant referee, and Akhona Makalima as the Video Assistant Referee.
All three are from South Africa, a detail that has immediately drawn attention from followers of African football who understand the influence such selections can have on perception.
The discussion around referee nationality is not new. Studies from European football have shown that officials may subconsciously offer favourable calls to players of similar national backgrounds.
Nigeria’s meetings with South Africa have often been intense, and recent qualifiers have shown how fine the margins can be.
The upcoming meeting with Gabon will demand accuracy, patience and discipline. The Super Eagles know that their path is still open but not straightforward. The appointment of three South African officials adds to the story that is already shaped by rivalry, qualification tension and the constant debate around officiating neutrality within African football.
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