FIFA’s decision to appoint a team of South African and Benin match officials for the forthcoming Super Eagles’ World Cup playoff clash against Gabon has incited panic amongst fans.
Nigeria will take on Gabon on November 13 in one of the two semi-finals of the African World Cup playoffs in Morocco. The winner of the match will face either Congo DR or Cameroon in the final to clinch the sole slot to represent Africa at the intercontinental playoff.
South Africa’s Tom Abongile has been named the centre referee for Nigeria’s semi-final match. Zakhele Siwela, another South African, will be one of the assistant referees, while Akhona Makalima, his compatriot, will be in charge of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for the match. Hughes Ndjovi of the Benin Republic will be the referee assessor for the match.
This move has understandably caused panic amongst Nigerians who fear the officiating might be unfair, as both countries were placed in the same group as Nigeria in the earlier qualifying round.