Nigeria gets one match official for Morocco 2025 Afcon Qualifiers

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria will have a representative officiating at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers this month.

Joseph Ogabor, the country’s sole referee selected for the qualifiers, will take charge of the match between Tunisia and Comoros Islands.

This appointment marks a significant milestone for Nigerian referees, especially given the rarity of male Nigerian officials being selected for CAF tournaments and qualifiers in recent years.

While Nigerian female referees have consistently represented the country in CAF-organized women’s tournaments and qualifiers, male referees have seen fewer opportunities.

Ogabor’s appointment is a notable achievement for the current Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board under Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau.

It also signals hope that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) may increasingly consider Nigerian referees for future assignments.

Oluwaseun Oyediji

Oluwaseun Babatunde Oyediji is a multi-media sports journalist with over 10 years experience in Information Communication Technology (ICT), women's football, and beach soccer reportage.The prolific writer is the Media Assistant to Nigeria Beach Soccer League and Africa Beach Soccer Union as well as contributor on Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) website.He has covered multiple national and international football tournaments including Championship of African Nations (CHAN 2020), CAF Women's Champions League (2023), and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023).Since 2021, Oyediji has covered the NWFL Premiership especially the season ending Super Six Playoffs.A member of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ogun state chapter is also the image maker of the Remo Sports Development Council under the leadership of Chief Falilat Ogunkoya and David Osuolale.

See Full Bio