For the second consecutive AFCON tournament, no Nigerian referee has been invited to officiate. CAF listed 94 officials and instructors for the Morocco 2025 preparation camp — none from Nigeria.
President of the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA), Sanni Zubair, admitted the lapse, saying, “It is because we are not qualified to be there. The only elite referee we had failed the test.”
He explained that CAF’s criteria — which include VAR competence, fitness certification, and elite performance ratings — exposed gaps in Nigeria’s referee development system.
“We are working with the NFF to train more elite referees. Once they pass the required exams, we’ll regain our place,” Zubair said.
In February, the NFF decorated 30 FIFA-badged referees, but most have yet to transition to CAF’s elite tier.
Whistle of Accountability
The snub reflects deeper structural issues in Nigeria’s football administration — from funding cuts to lack of technological adoption.
Impact Snapshot
- Nigeria excluded from AFCON officiating roster for the second cycle.
- VAR certification deficit hinders continental recognition.
- NFF to sponsor elite referee academy before 2026.
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