AFCON 2023: CAF Talks About Nigerian Referees' Exclusion In 2023 AFCON

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has explained the exclusion of Nigerian referees from officiating at the Africa Cup of Nations

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Head of Refereeing, Desire Noumandiez Doue, has addressed the exclusion of Nigerian referees from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) officiating roster.

Doue stated that the belief that Nigerian referees are not the best available was the reason they were not chosen.

Speaking to BRL exclusively at a CAF referees training session in Abidjan, Doue acknowledged that Nigeria has capable referees but stressed the significance of Match Arbiters improving their performance to satisfy CAF requirements.

He asserted that the exclusion is not due to a lack of skill but rather to a dedication to choosing the best referees possible for continental tournaments such as the AFCON.

“You have good referees in Nigeria, but this is our message to them, they need to come to the CAF competition, especially to the AFCON,” the former referee said.

“However, We don't need good referees; good referees are for the MAs, and good referees are for the zone, in CAF we need the best, so Nigerian referees are good, but they can still improve if they need assistance.

“They need to do more to be among the best because the selection has been started for one year and a half, so we are in a continuous process of scouting, evaluating, and selecting.”