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Nigeria referees missing out of 2023 Africa Cup of Nations list
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Ahead of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicking off in Cote d’Ivoire from January 13, 2024, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has yet again snubbed Nigerian referees for the tournament on Friday.
Overall, there are 26 match referees, 30 assistant referees and 12 Video Assistant Referees (VAR). Expectedly, Nigerian referees were not found good enough for the continent’s biggest competition, with no Nigerian in the mix.
The development shows that Nigerian referees have not been part of officiating in the last 10 years of competition organized by CAF this despite the Super Eagles participation in the championships for 20 times.
The list of 68, including six women referees made the list of experienced officials drawn for the competition from across the continent who have officiated at a number of international competitions.
The match officials comprise 26 referees, 30 assistant referees, and 12 Video Assistant Referee (VAR) who will oversee the competition set to take place in Cote d’Ivoire between 13 January to 11 February.
Countries with officials for the tournament include Algeria, Benin Republic, Burundi, Chad, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, and Sudan.
Others include Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo, Djibouti, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe, Togo, Tunisia, and Zambia.
All selected referees are expected to arrive in Cote d’Ivoire on 5 January 2024 for a refresher course which will be inclusive of physical and theoretical testing of all officials.
