FIFA U17 World Cup Officials: Africa Boasts Strong Presence, Nigeria Missing Out

FIFA U17 World Cup Officials: Africa Boasts Strong Presence, Nigeria Missing Out

Sampson Adedeji

Nigeria will have no officials at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025, despite Africa securing strong representation at the global youth tournament, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will be represented by four referees and eight assistant referees, underscoring FIFA’s growing trust in African match officials.

South Africa’s Jelly Chavani leads the refereeing team, alongside Hamza El Fariq (Morocco), Tanguy Mebiame (Gabon), and Abdou Abdel Mefire (Cameroon).

They will be supported by assistant referees drawn from across the continent: Sirak Samuel Mengis (Eritrea), Hamandi Said Ally (Tanzania), Hamza Naciri (Morocco), Ahmed Dhouiouhi (Tunisia), Salim Alao (Benin), Amos Abegine Ndong B. (Gabon), Elyeh Robleh Dirir (Djibouti), and Joel Wonka Doe (Liberia).

The appointments reflect a balanced spread from North, West, East, Central, and Southern Africa, highlighting CAF’s ongoing efforts to develop world-class referees for the global stage.