We need the best Referees at AFCON” - Head of CAF Refereeing and Football Technology on Why There Are No Nigeria Referees in AFCON 2023

“We need the best Referees at AFCON” - Head of CAF Refereeing and Football Technology on Why There Are No Nigeria Referees in AFCON 2023

By Boluwaji Ogunmola in Abidjan.

CAF head of Refereeing and Football Technology, Noumandiez Desire Doue, has disclosed why there are no Nigeria referees at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d'Ivoire.

With the knockout stages of the tournament starting on Saturday, CAF invited all accredited Journalists currently covering the competition to CAF AFCON referees Open Day on Thursday, at ASEC Mimosa Training centre in Abidjan for an interactive session with match officials.

Following the conclusion of group matches on Wednesday, there have been positive reviews about the referring in the competition thus far.

During an interview session, BCOS’ Boluwaji Ogunmola asked CAF head of refereeing and Football Technology, Noumandiez Desire Doue, why Nigerian referees were not considered for AFCON 2023.

"We have good referees in Nigeria, but this is our message to referee, to come to CAF competitions, especially to the AFCON; we don't need good referees; Very good referees are for the Zones, in CAF we need the best for CAF competitions.

"Nigerian referees are good, they are improving, and they can improve, and the (referee) assistants, but they need to do a bit more to be among the best because the selection has been done one year and a half, so we are in a continuous process of scouting, evaluating, and of selection" he said.