Nigeria’s refereeing leadership has dismissed allegations that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) deliberately excluded the country’s officials. These officials were supposedly meant for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

The complete absence of Nigerian referees from the provisional list sparked widespread questions. Football fans wondered why a nation of Nigeria’s significant standing would lack representation in African football.

In response to these concerns, the President of the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA), Sani Zubairu, has stepped forward to clarify the situation.

Zubairu, a respected retired FIFA referee, described suggestions of a deliberate snub by CAF as unfair. He emphasized that these claims do not accurately reflect the events that transpired.

“It is wrong to say Nigerian officials were neglected or ignored,” he stated. “We were indeed invited.”

He further clarified that two Nigerian officials, both holding FIFA badges, participated in the initial selection phases. They attended CAF’s preparatory programs in Egypt. Their hopes, however, ended during the critical assessment stage.

Zubairu explained the precise reason for their exclusion. “We had a centre referee and an assistant referee invited for a course in Egypt,” he said. “Unfortunately, our referees did not pass the physical and technical tests. Consequently, they were dropped.”

He added, “That is the core issue. It is truly unfortunate. We received an invitation and a clear opportunity. However, we could not meet the required standards. That is the true situation.”

Rigorous CAF Selection Process

Zubairu stressed that CAF’s selection process is far from a mere formality. He characterized it as a highly rigorous screening system. This system thoroughly evaluates officials across multiple criteria.

“An invitation means a screening exercise, a comprehensive test,” Zubairu elaborated. “Officials must undergo physical, tactical, and medical assessments. Based on these results, the referees for the tournament are chosen. This is precisely what occurred in our case.”

The confirmed roster for AFCON 2025 features officials from Ghana, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Gabon, Benin, Niger, and Mauritania. Notably, Nigeria, a former AFCON champion in West Africa, currently has no referee representative.

The highly anticipated AFCON 2025 tournament is scheduled to run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

All selected officials are expected to arrive in Morocco by December 15. They will undergo a demanding preparatory phase. This build-up includes intensive fitness work, practical technical drills, and theoretical sessions. These preparations aim to ensure they are fully ready before the tournament kicks off.