Only One Nigerian Referee Selected As CAF Names 63 Officials For Nations’ Cup Tournament

Only one Nigerian referee has been selected as CAF names 63 officials for the nations’ cup tournament.

Glamtush reports that only one Nigerian, Samuel Pwadutakam, was selected by the Confederation of African Football as the football body on Tuesday released a list of 63 officials to take charge of matches at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon next month.

This online platform understands that the tournament, which kicks off on January 9, 2022, will see 24 referees, 31 assistant referees and eight video assistant referees from 36 countries officiating matches throughout the event.

Pwadutakam, CAF announced, will work as an assistant referee during the competition.

CAF’s Director of Refereeing, Eddy Maillet, while commenting on the list, said, “The match officials were selected based on their experience, skills and current form.

“Only the best will officiate at this extraordinary event.”

Morocco has the highest number of officials for the tournament (eight), closely followed by Egypt (five), Senegal (four), Tunisia (three), Cameroon (three), DR Congo (two), Kenya (two), Seychelles (two) and South Africa (two).

Other countries from the 36 CAF made the selection from all have one official each for the soccer event.

All selected match officials will complete final preparations in Cameroon the week before the opening game where they will be closely monitored before and during the competition by a team of technical specialists and instructors, CAF announced.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will be aiming to win the African Cup of Nations for the fourth time next year in Cameroon after previously lifting the trophy on three occasions.