The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has formally lodged a protest with FIFA over the selection of South African and Beninese officials for the upcoming World Cup qualifying playoff between Nigeria and Gabon.
The decisive first leg fixture is scheduled for Thursday next week at the Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, with the winner advancing to the next phase of the qualification series.
According to the appointment list signed by Gordon Savic, FIFA’s Head of Qualifiers and International Matches, Abongile Tom of South Africa will serve as the centre referee.
His compatriot, Zakhele Thusi Granville Siwela, has been named Assistant Referee 2, while Akhona Zennith Makalima, another South African, will head the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team. Hugues Alain Djovi from Benin Republic will act as the Referee Assessor.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), in a protest letter submitted late Wednesday, argued that assigning officials from South Africa and Benin Republic, two nations that were in Nigeria’s qualifying group—creates a “serious conflict of interest” and undermines the principle of neutrality required in international officiating.
Benin Republic was eliminated in dramatic fashion by Nigeria on the final matchday of the group stage after losing 4-0 in Uyo, while South Africa has remained a direct rival in the qualification race.
In its submission to FIFA, the NFF insisted that the appointments “could compromise the integrity of the match or give room for perceived bias.”
The letter further stressed that “neutrality is a fundamental principle that must guide the appointment of match officials in global competitions.”
Nigeria’s protest comes after South Africa’s Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie publicly made a controversial statement that he would not want Nigeria to qualify for the World Cup.
McKenzie accused Nigeria of “attempting to sabotage South Africa’s qualification campaign” — a reference to the earlier Group C protest over South Africa’s use of an ineligible player.
