FIFA, the authority that oversees international football, has authorised the inclusion of thirty Nigerian referees on the international roster for 2024.
They will be tasked with officiating beach football, futsal, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup in addition to age-grade tournaments.
Eleven referees, eleven assistant referees, four beach football referees, and four futsal referees are included in the list of 30 referees.
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The 11 Nigerian referees who have been cleared to serve on the international field for the upcoming season are: Basheer Salisu, Ogabor Odey Joseph, Olufunmilayo Abigael Alaba, Nurudeen Abubakar, Abdulsalam Kasimu Abiola, Elaigwe Hannah Enekole, Akintoye Yemisi Eunice, Egba Patrick John, Madu Ndidi Patience, Mustapha Grema Mohammed, and Abdullahi Abubakar. This information was sent to the Nigeria Football Federation
Pwadutakam Samuel, Igudia Efosa Celestine, Abibatu Iyadunni, Muhammad Yakubu, Mfon Friday Akpan, Digbori Tejiri, Usman Abdulmajeed Olaide, Igho Hope Ogenekewe, Terah Kabenda Beauty, Ahmad Mustapha Tijjani, and Agbons Faith are the 11 officials who have been permitted to serve as assistant referees.
The futsal soccer roster included Ukah Ndubuisi Odigomma, Musa Dung Davou, Umuago Paul Akpome, and Bello Zuru Alhassan; the beach soccer roster included Ogunmuyiwa Jelili, Fawole Olawale Adeolu, Olajide Olayinka, and Rabiu Ahmad.
Recall that no Nigerian referee has officiated at the FIFA World Cup, and CAF has not evaluated a male Nigerian referee for the Africa Cup of Nations in the past ten years.
When retired FIFA referee Peter Egan Edibi was shortlisted for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but did not make the final roster because of what many considered to be top level politics in FIFA and CAF, Nigeria came the closest to breaking the World Cup curse.
