Nigerian referees AFCON snub deepens as CAF omits them from 2025 AFCON list over fitness, theory, and VAR deficiencies

Nigerian referees AFCON snub has once again sparked debate after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) excluded all Nigerian officials from its preparatory course for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

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CAF last week released a list of 94 officials, instructors, and assessors for the high-profile course, but none of the names came from Nigeria—Africa’s most populous football nation and one of its historic powerhouses.

Speaking with The PUNCH, Sanni Zubair, president of the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA), admitted that the omission stemmed from Nigerian referees failing to meet CAF’s technical and fitness benchmarks.

He revealed that only one Nigerian elite referee was eligible for consideration, but he did not pass the assessment.

“It is because we are not qualified to be there,” Zubair said. “Being a FIFA referee doesn’t mean you’re automatically eligible. The only elite referee we have didn’t pass the test.”

The Nigerian referees AFCON snub reportedly resulted from shortcomings in three key areas—fitness, theory, and inadequate hands-on experience with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology.

CAF’s requirements for AFCON officiating have become increasingly stringent, with referees expected to demonstrate high physical standards and technical proficiency in VAR operations.

Zubair said the NRA, in collaboration with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), is now focused on expanding the pool of elite referees to ensure future representation at continental tournaments.

“Every year, we have courses and exams for progression. Once our referees pass the elite tests, they’ll be back on track,” he added.

In February, the NFF decorated 30 FIFA referees, including 11 referees, 11 assistants, four futsal officials, and four beach soccer referees.

However, many of them have held the badge for nearly a decade, raising concerns about generational renewal and exposure to evolving officiating standards.

A FIFA-badged referee, who spoke anonymously, maintained that Nigerian officials remain competent but may be losing out due to internal politics at the continental level.

“Some countries have just two or three elite referees—it’s not that they’re better. Our referees still get CAF assignments, but Nigeria needs to play the politics up there too,” he said.

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The Nigerian referees AFCON snub marks the second consecutive time CAF has left out Nigerian officials from its flagship tournament, highlighting both structural and developmental gaps in the country’s refereeing system.