Huge Blow as FIFA Picks 8 African Referees For 2022 World Cup, Snubs Nigeria

Huge Blow as FIFA Picks 8 African Referees For 2022 World Cup, Snubs Nigeria

Ibitoye Shittu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:59 PM
In this article:
FIFA World Cup logo
FIFA World Cup
International
  • Nigerian referees have been snubbed by FIFA for the 2022 World Cup tournament holding in Qatar
  • However, eight African referees from countries like South Africa, Zambia, Senegal and Algeria were picked by FIFA
  • France are the reigning champions of the world and the 2022 World Cup will kickoff on 21 November

World football governing body (FIFA) have snubbed Nigeria again as the West African nation will have no referee to officiate at the 2022 World Cup billed to hold in Qatar.

Having failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after losing the final play-offs against Ghana, Nigeria will also have no match official to represent the nation in the prestigious tournament.

The 2022 World Cup will start on November 21 to December 18 and France are the reigning champions of the world after beating Croatia in the 2018 final in Russia.

Jean Jacques Ndala, Nigerian referees, FIFA
Referee Jean Jacques Ndala in charge of tie between Senegal vs Egypt. Photo by Mohamed Hossam
Source: Getty Images

Interestingly, eight other African referees were picked by FIFA to officiate at the 2022 World Cup based on their performances.

Who are the African referees picked by FIFA for 2022 World Cup?

According to the report on Sportsbay, Jean Jacques Ndala (RD Congo), Mustapha, Ghorbal (Algeria), Redouane Jiyed (Morocco), Papa Bakary Gassama (Gambia), Balmak Tessema (Ethiopia), Victor Gomez (South Africa), Janny Sikazwe (Zambia), and Maguette N’diaye (Senegal).

Who are the African nations going to 2022 World Cup?

Senegal, Cameroon, Morocco, Tunisia and Ghana are the five African nations that will represent the continent in Qatar.

Eguavoen sends solid message to Nigerians after missing 2022 World Cup ticket with Super Eagles

Earlier, Sports Brief had reported how Augustine Eguavoen stated emphatically that he is not a failure despite failing to qualify the Super Eagles of Nigeria for the 2022 World Cup losing the play-offs to Ghana.

Last year December, Gernot Rohr was sacked as the Super Eagles coach by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and Augustine Eguavoen was appointed on interim capacity.

His first assignment was steering the Super Eagles to Cameroon for the 2021 African Cup of Nations where they crashed out in the round of 16 losing against Tunisia.

Eguavoen was still given the task to qualify Nigeria for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but the Black Stars of Ghana picked the ticket thanks to the away goal rule which helped them.

Augustine Eguavoen explained that the inability to qualify for the 2022 World Cup does not make him a failure.

Authors
Ibitoye Shittu photo
Ibitoye Shittu
Editor- Local Desk
Tags
Nigeria