The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has once again overlooked Nigerian referees and assistant referees in its selection for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which kicks off in August.
According to the list released by CAF, a total of 70 match officials were selected to officiate in the tournament, including 26 referees, 26 assistant referees, and 18 Video Match Officials (VMOs), drawn from 30 member countries.
However, no Nigerian official made the cut — a decision that continues a worrying trend of snubs in recent years. Despite Nigeria’s status as one of Africa’s football giants, its referees have consistently been left out of top CAF competitions.
CHAN, a competition reserved for players who feature in their domestic leagues, will be jointly hosted this year by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, from August 2 to 30, 2025.
This continued exclusion has raised concerns about the development and international recognition of Nigerian match officials in African football.
While CAF has not offered a specific explanation for Nigeria’s omission, stakeholders in the country’s football circles may now face growing pressure to invest more in referee training, development, and international exposure.
