The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed strong disapproval over FIFA’s decision to appoint South Africa’s Tom Agbongila as centre referee for the Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup playoff against Gabon on November 13, 2025, in Morocco.
Background
The fixture marks Nigeria’s opening game in the four-team African playoff for a World Cup ticket, scheduled to take place in Morocco next week.
According to a telegram message from FIFA’s Head of Qualifications and International Matches, Gordon Savic, to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the participating nations, Agbongila will be assisted by Angola’s Santos Doz (AR1) and South Africa’s Thusi Granville (AR2).
In the VAR room will be Ahmad Imthaze (Mauritius), Makalima Zennith (South Africa), and Packuita Gynquela (Mauritius).
Other key officials include:
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Referee Assessor: Adjovi Hugues-Alain (Benin Republic)
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Match Commissioner: Prince Kai (Sierra Leone)
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General Coordinator: Kizuguito Baraka (Tanzania)
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Security Officer: Mahmdiona Imad-Eddine (Algeria)
NFF’s Objection
A senior NFF official, speaking anonymously to The Guardian, described FIFA’s appointments as “unacceptable,” citing the recent strained football relations between Nigeria and South Africa.
“It’s as if someone in FIFA is plotting to see that Nigeria does not qualify for the World Cup,” the official said.
He added that FIFA’s earlier decision to allow South Africa to play all their qualifiers — except matches against Nigeria and Benin Republic — on home soil had already raised concerns about fairness.
“Now they want to complete the job by picking South Africans for a game as important as the World Cup playoff against Gabon. We will let the whole world know what is happening,” he added.
Team Preparations
The Super Eagles’ backroom staff, coaches, and officials are expected to depart for Rabat soon via a commercial flight, carrying all materials needed for the campaign.
Players will begin arriving at the team’s Rabat training camp from Sunday, coming from their respective clubs in Europe.
Head Coach Eric Chelle is set to release the official player list today, with the federation emphasizing early arrival and full focus on securing qualification.
The NFF’s advance party will leave for Morocco tomorrow to finalize logistics ahead of the players’ arrival.
