FIFA’s decision to appoint South African match officials for Nigeria’s crucial World Cup playoff against Gabon has sparked outrage among Nigerian football fans, who allege a potential conflict of interest and bias.
The Super Eagles are set to face Gabon on November 13 in one of the African World Cup playoff semi-finals scheduled to take place in Morocco. The winner of the tie will go on to meet either Congo DR or Cameroon in the final, with the victor securing Africa’s only slot in the intercontinental playoff.
According to the appointment list released by FIFA, South Africa’s Tom Abongile will serve as the centre referee, assisted by compatriot Zakhele Siwela, while Akhona Makalima, also South African, will oversee the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) duties. Hughes Ndjovi from Benin Republic has been assigned as the referee assessor.
The announcement has stirred anger across Nigeria’s football community, as both South Africa and Benin Republic were part of Group C alongside Nigeria during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Nigeria secured a 4–0 victory over Benin on the final day to qualify as one of the best runners-up, while South Africa topped the group to clinch an automatic ticket to the World Cup.
The tension is further heightened by the strained football relations between Nigeria and South Africa. Earlier this year, South Africa’s Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, openly blamed Nigeria for a FIFA sanction that penalized his country for fielding an ineligible player. He also publicly declared that he “did not want Nigeria to qualify for the World Cup.”
Prominent Nigerian sports journalist Suleiman Adebayo, popularly known as Pooja on X, condemned the appointments, describing them as unfair and insensitive.
“In fairness and sentiments, South African officials shouldn’t be appointed by CAF to officiate Nigeria vs. Gabon in this World Cup playoff in Morocco,” he wrote.
He further criticized the governing body’s decision, saying:
“A sitting minister in South Africa on tape said he doesn’t want Nigeria to qualify for the World Cup, and CAF had to appoint South Africans as the centre ref, AR & VAR in a game involving Nigeria? Even the Ref Assessor is from the Benin Republic. CAF should rethink this fast.”
Another X user, Kappo Ebenezer Sewanu, faulted the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for failing to act, alleging that similar oversights have disadvantaged Nigeria in past competitions.
“The sad thing is NFF will not act on this info,” he tweeted. “Just like they didn’t act when about three countries played their home matches in South Africa, putting Nigeria at a demerit whilst SA enjoyed home support throughout the WC campaign. They will not pay attention to little details like this.”
As of press time, the NFF had not issued an official response to the growing controversy surrounding FIFA’s referee appointments.
