The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has raised alarm over the country of the officiating officials for their opening world cup qualifiers playoff game against Gabon in Morocco, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
World football governing body FIFA appointed South Africa referee Tom Abongile to be the centre referee of the game, with Zakhele Siwela who is also from South Africa as his assistant. Another South African Akhona Makalima will be the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Benin Republic Hughes Alain Ndjovi will serve as the referee accessor for the game. The NFF made it clear that they are not comfortable with the appointments, due to the fact that they are from countries in the same group with Nigeria during the qualifiers.
For South Africa, they are saying a country whose minister for sports Gayton McKenzie openly spoke about his lack of love for Nigeria, shouldn’t have referees officiating games of the Super Eagles at a crucial tournament like the playoff.
Ndjovi is from Benin Republic who were thrashed 4-0 by Nigeria in the final round of group game to book a spot in the mini tournament.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
