Nigeria Files Official Protest to FIFA Over ‘Conflict of Interest’ in World Cup Qualifier Officiating Appointments

Nigeria Files Official Protest to FIFA Over ‘Conflict of Interest’ in World Cup Qualifier Officiating Appointments

By Admin 

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has lodged a formal complaint with FIFA, alleging a “clear conflict of interest” in the appointment of South African and Beninese officials to oversee Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying play-off against Gabon, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The decisive fixture is scheduled for next Thursday at the Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. The winner will advance to the next stage of the World Cup qualification series.

According to the appointment list signed by Gordon Savic, FIFA’s Head of Qualifiers and International Matches, South Africa’s Abongile Tom has been designated as the centre referee. He will be assisted by compatriot Zakhele Thusi Granville Siwela as Assistant Referee 2, while another South African, Akhona Zennith Makalima, will head the two-person Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team. Hugues Alain Djovi of Benin Republic has been named Referee Assessor.

In a protest letter submitted to FIFA on Wednesday night, the NFF contended that assigning match officials from South Africa and Benin Republic, two countries that featured in Nigeria’s qualifying group undermines the neutrality required for fair competition.

Benin Republic was dramatically eliminated from the qualification race after Nigeria edged the Cheetahs on the final matchday. 

The NFF insists that these appointments “raise legitimate concerns over impartiality.”

“Neutrality is a fundamental principle in international officiating,” the federation’s statement read, warning that the current appointments “could compromise the integrity of the match or create a perception of bias.”

The controversy has been further fueled by recent remarks from South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, who said during a Johannesburg radio interview that he would prefer Nigeria not to qualify for the World Cup. McKenzie accused Nigeria of “attempting to sabotage South Africa’s qualification campaign,” referring to Nigeria’s protest over South Africa’s use of an ineligible player during the group stage a violation that ultimately led to FIFA sanctions against South Africa.

Many Nigerians have condemned McKenzie’s comments as “unprofessional and inflammatory,” arguing that FIFA’s decision to appoint South African officials to Nigeria’s fixture is “at best insensitive and at worst prejudicial.”

FIFA has yet to issue an official response to Nigeria’s complaint. However, sources within the NFF confirmed that the federation is urging FIFA to replace all appointed officials from South Africa and Benin Republic before the play-off.

The Nigeria versus Gabon encounter is widely seen as one of the most anticipated fixtures in the African qualifiers, as both nations battle for a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

If FIFA upholds Nigeria’s protest, a new set of match officials from neutral countries is expected to be announced in the coming days.