AFCON 2025: Nigeria missing as CAF releases list of Referees
by Adenle Ahmed Abiola · The Eagle OnlineNigeria’s match officials were noticeably absent as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) released the official list of referees, video match officials, instructors, and technical assessors selected for a preparatory course ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The training camp, slated for November 8 to 13, 2025 in Cairo, Egypt, will serve as part of CAF’s final preparation before the tournament, which begins in December.
The week-long programme typically focuses on fitness drills, match management, and VAR operations to ensure uniform officiating standards across the competition.
CAF unveiled the list on Thursday afternoon, and it featured no Nigerian representative among the selected officials.
The official list includes 33 referees, 11 video match officials (VMOs), 43 instructors, one VAR technician, five CAF staff, and seven committee members.
Nigeria’s absence from the list extends its 19-year wait for a referee at Africa’s biggest football event.
- Nigeria, South Africa exit global watchdog’s dirty-money list
- Governor suspends State Polytechnic Rector, Bursar
- Budget Reforms: Ebonyi citizens’ engagement strategy draft receives grassroots inputs
- Aliko Dangote emerges first African to hit $30b mark
- Alleged Property Fraud: EFCC witness fails to link Emefiele to Zenith Bank account
Reportedly, the last Nigerian centre referee to officiate an AFCON match was Emmanuel Imiere, who handled a group-stage game between Zambia and Guinea at the 2006 edition in Egypt.
Egypt leads all nations in overall representation, followed closely by Morocco and Algeria.
South Africa, Cameroon, Senegal, Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin and DR Congo are also well represented across categories.