The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially released the list of 70 referees selected to officiate at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), scheduled to take place from August 2 to 30, 2025, in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Despite Nigeria’s strong presence in African football, no Nigerian referee, assistant referee, or video assistant referee (VAR) made the cut—marking a notable omission from the continental tournament’s officiating crew.
The selected officials comprise 26 central referees, 26 assistant referees, and 18 VAR officials, drawn from 30 different African nations. CAF stated the appointments reflect its commitment to high officiating standards and inclusivity, especially with the inclusion of top female referees and assistants such as Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco), Shamirah Nabadda (Uganda), Diana Chikotesha (Zambia), and Atezambong Fomo Carine (Cameroon).
Among the notable names on the central referees list are Jelly Chavani (South Africa), Ahmed Nagy (Egypt), and Melki Mehrez (Tunisia), while seasoned VAR officials such as Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia), Ghorbal Mustapha (Algeria), and Akhona Makalima (South Africa) are also part of the team.
This absence of Nigerian officials could raise concerns within the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and may prompt questions about the country’s current status in the continental officiating hierarchy.
The CHAN 2024 tournament, reserved exclusively for players active in their domestic leagues, is expected to showcase top-tier talent and will be closely followed by fans and scouts alike. As preparations intensify, CAF’s list of referees sets the tone for a tournament aimed at upholding the integrity and quality of the game across the continent.
Sports247.ng
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