The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has lodged a formal complaint with FIFA, raising serious concerns about what it calls a “clear conflict of interest” in the appointment of match officials from South Africa and Benin Republic for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup African Playoffs semi-final between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Gabon Panthers. The first-leg fixture is scheduled for November 13, 2025 in Rabat, Morocco.
According to documentation signed by Gordon Savic, Head of Qualifiers and International Matches at FIFA, the centre referee has been designated as Abongile Tom of South Africa, assisted by compatriot Zakhele Thusi Granville Siwela, with Akhona Zennith Makalima (also South Africa) heading the VAR team. The Referee Assessor is Hugues Alain Djovi from Benin Republic.
In its letter to FIFA, the NFF argues that the appointment of officials from two nations—South Africa and Benin Republic—which were in the same qualifying group as Nigeria, “undermines the principle of neutrality” and “could compromise the integrity of the match or give room for a perception of bias.” The concern is heightened by recent remarks from South Africa’s Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, who reportedly stated that he does not want Nigeria to qualify for the World Cup.
The federation is pressing FIFA to reconsider the appointments and replace all officials from South Africa and Benin Republic ahead of the playoff clash. As of late Wednesday, FIFA has yet to issue an official response. Nigeria expects a verdict before the weekend, which will set the tone for one of Africa’s most emotionally-charged qualifying fixtures this cycle.
— Source: Premium Times / BSN Sports.