Africa Football Discussion || Current Topic: Worldcup qualifiers - CAF.

[uchegod-21]

With the official list of referees to officiate the AFCON 2024 Tournament out, no Nigerian ref was included and I'm beginning to wonder why. The last time a Nigerian ref officiated in AFCON was 13 years ago. Ever since then, there has been no Nigerian ref being called up, not even a linesman. Is it that our refs are lacking what it takes or are we that bad? Or is that we don't have refs with good reputation or what? What do we have to do to change the status quo?
 In England where there are controversial calls, they are still invited to ref Europa games, why then is Nigeria's own different?
 Here's the list of refs chosen.


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I have heard about this that Nigerian referees no longer officiate in the CAF or AFCON competitions. I never wanted to go into argument or research, but then I thought it was exaggerated. So, I overlooked the mater and here I am today seeing this image evidence that Nigerian referees are not to official in the AFCON matches. I am beginning to doubt the status of Nigeria as the giant of Africa when other countries are overtaking them in almost everything. I will like to know the reason this is like this. If anyone comes with an answer I'll appreciate, else I'll research myself.

[Majestic-milf]

This is as a result if our corrupt practices, they say charity begins at home and most of our home based referees have had some negative pr and it also seems they are easily compromised. Aside from these, I don’t think there are any other reasons why our indigenous referees would be left out entirely for the AFCON games. It’s a question of the integrity of our referees than qualification.

I would differ. It's not only Nigerians that have corruption eating at them , let's go back to the Europa finals between Roma and Sevilla last season, Roma had a clear penalty opportunity but what did the ref Anthony Taylor do after even checking VAR? He said no penalty! Being a seasoned ref that he is you'd expect that that handball by Fernando in the 81st minutes will be punished, rather it was overlooked! He made Roma miss out on their chance of clinching the title and I'm sure he has been called on to ref other games but why is it that the Nigerian refs just get punished? It's not like our corruption is the worst! For sure there are others who these Nigerian refs are better than.

[CryptopreneurBrainboss]

What left is Morocco vs Liberia match and I don't know if it was rescheduled yet or not.

It got rescheduled and it was expected because of the numerous earthquake experience by the people of Morocco. I can't imagine what they're going through, my condolences goes to all affect persons. The match been played while the country is going through this tough times won't have been right so we commend the officials for rescheduling the match, there'll be plenty of time to play the game. Probably after the families affected are healed from the whole situation. I'm routing for Morocco to win this game with a big margin, I know Morocco are always the favorite but they should win with more goals so the nation will have more reason to smile again.

Morocco and Liberia were due to meet at Agadir Stadium in the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations. However, a 6.9 earthquake, which left more than 1,000 dead and 300 injured, struck the city and forced the authorities to suspend the match. The decision was announced in an official statement:
"Following the earthquake recorded on Friday night in several regions of the Kingdom, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation announces the postponement to a later date of the match of the last day of the qualifiers (Group K) of the Cup. This postponement was decided after consultation with the African Football Confederation," they said.

With the official list of referees to officiate the AFCON 2024 Tournament out, no Nigerian ref was included and I'm beginning to wonder why. The last time a Nigerian ref officiated in AFCON was 13 years ago.

England has influences, they have all the big media attention so ignoring them will be putting that competition under some serious attack from the media houses in England but we don't have such influence in Nigeria. When things like this happens everybody will just stay silent. The media power in Africa is South Africa because they own all the big companies in sport. The removing of Nigerians from the list of officiating staff is justifiable because it I ask you to mention one referees that's a Nigerian that you know you can't. We aren't the best people when it comes to having integrity and it's better they aren't allowed on the big stages to disgrace this country more because I know when the opportunity comes to take a bribe they won't hesitate to accept that money, they're aren't even been payed well in Nigeria leagues.

[Rruchi man]

I have heard about this that Nigerian referees no longer officiate in the CAF or AFCON competitions. I never wanted to go into argument or research, but then I thought it was exaggerated. So, I overlooked the mater and here I am today seeing this image evidence that Nigerian referees are not to official in the AFCON matches. I am beginning to doubt the status of Nigeria as the giant of Africa when other countries are overtaking them in almost everything. I will like to know the reason this is like this. If anyone comes with an answer I'll appreciate, else I'll research myself.

It is a big shame and very embarrassing to the football Federation of the country that a country like Nigeria are unable to provide any qualified referees for the AFCON. This to me is a reflection of the poor standard of our Refereeing body and the state of our Referees. If we had top quality Referees who have met all requirements, I don't think they would have been ignored. This is not the first time it has happened, and it will not be the last time if something is not done about it. Nigeria needs to know exactly why CAF keeps ignoring our officials.

[Asiska02]

I have heard about this that Nigerian referees no longer officiate in the CAF or AFCON competitions. I never wanted to go into argument or research, but then I thought it was exaggerated. So, I overlooked the mater and here I am today seeing this image evidence that Nigerian referees are not to official in the AFCON matches. I am beginning to doubt the status of Nigeria as the giant of Africa when other countries are overtaking them in almost everything. I will like to know the reason this is like this. If anyone comes with an answer I'll appreciate, else I'll research myself.

It is so unfortunate this is happening again. This is not the first time I am hearing this but I can’t really remember the last tournament that this issue was raised about Nigerian Referees not having any Referee representatives from the country in that tournament. Maybe it was in the last World Cup played in Qatar or in the last AFCON tournament but I’m not really sure about it.
If it happened in the World Cup, it might be overlooked since many countries are involved in that event but in AFCON, it should be a shame to Nigerians. I hope they can improve in this aspect and not be left out in the officiating team in future tournaments to come.

[Docnaster]

This is as a result if our corrupt practices, they say charity begins at home and most of our home based referees have had some negative pr and it also seems they are easily compromised. Aside from these, I don’t think there are any other reasons why our indigenous referees would be left out entirely for the AFCON games. It’s a question of the integrity of our referees than qualification.

This is beyond corruption as I am seeing this as a total negligence to Nigeria as a country. Although there is still an alarming internal corruption in NFF, if not they should have written to the CAF. Even if it requires the signatory of Nigerian president.
If it is about competence, Nigeria can afford to train more than 50 personnel's in Europe about officiating.
Do you know that in the last six editions of the AFCON tournament, only three Nigerians have made the list of officiating as the last edition, no single Nigerian made the list.

[Lorokan]

Countries that qualified for AFCON 2023 Has been seeded into 4 pots; with 6 countries in a pot as highlighted in the picture below. The draw will take place in Cote d’Ivoire by October 12 (the time should be noon time gmt).

Pot 1 - Cote d’Ivoire, Algeria, Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt.
Pot 2 - Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Democratic Republic of Congo and Burkina Faso
Pot 3 - South Africa, Cape Verde, Guinea, Zambia, Equatorial Guinea and Mauritania.
Pot 4 - Guinea Bissau, Namibia, Mozambique, Angola, Gambia and Tanzania.

Would you like to guess Nigeria potential group? I believe there will be Group A to F. Comment your predictions

[Oluwa-btc]

This is as a result if our corrupt practices, they say charity begins at home and most of our home based referees have had some negative pr and it also seems they are easily compromised. Aside from these, I don’t think there are any other reasons why our indigenous referees would be left out entirely for the AFCON games. It’s a question of the integrity of our referees than qualification.

This is beyond corruption as I am seeing this as a total negligence to Nigeria as a country. Although there is still an alarming internal corruption in NFF, if not they should have written to the CAF. Even if it requires the signatory of Nigerian president.
If it is about competence, Nigeria can afford to train more than 50 personnel's in Europe about officiating.
Do you know that in the last six editions of the AFCON tournament, only three Nigerians have made the list of officiating as the last edition, no single Nigerian made the list.

The people in the Nigerian Football Federation are not players that have played the game in the past. They are simply political leaders who have come so whatever that happens goes all round them.
We will never see the Nigerian Football Federation progressing forward. All these acts must have lead to poor standards now they have be limited in bringing officials ahead of the African Cup of Nations Competition.

Whoever gets into Nigerian group, they should be ready because we have one of the finest attacking players doing great around the world.

[Davidvictorson]

Saudi Arabia vs Nigeria. International Match.
5:00pm, Friday 13th October 2023.

Estadio Municipal de Portimao.

My bet is on Nigeria. I am not too excited about this match just as I wasn't during game with Sao Tome . Saudi Arabia team is weak. They have lost all their last 5 international games. The odds in the bookies will be low. Don't expect to win anything tangible.

- https://www.skysports.com/football/saudi-arabia-vs-nigeria/499356

[Oluwa-btc]

Group A:
Cote D’Ivoire 🇨🇮
Nigeria 🇳🇬
Equatorial Guinea 🇬🇶
Guinea Bissau 🇬🇼........... This group has so many attacking players doing great and banging goals in them various leagues. Nigerians are lucky to have Boniface and Victor Oshime. Stuggart star boy Guirassy. All of these Africans scoring goals would be definitely missed when they leave.

Group B:
Egypt 🇪🇬
Ghana 🇬🇭
Cape Verde 🇨🇻
Mozambique 🇲🇿

Group C
Senegal 🇸🇳
Cameroon 🇨🇲
Guinea 🇬🇳
Gambia 🇬🇲

Group D:
Algeria 🇩🇿
Burkina Faso 🇧🇫
Mauritania 🇲🇷
Angola 🇦🇴

Group E:
Tunisia 🇹🇳
Mali 🇲🇱
South Africa 🇿🇦
Namibia 🇳🇦

THE 34TH EDITION OF THE AFRICAN CUP OF NATION'S.
https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/510135.aspx

[snipie]

-snip-

Ok group A look good and I think Nigeria and Ivory Coast have an advantage. Group B, Ghana and Egypt are better than the others tho.
Now for Group C, teams are close to each other and Senegal & Cameroon will have hard times vs the others teams.
Group D, Algeria and Burkina Faso looks the best. For Group E, the situation is quite complex since Tunisia, South Africa and Mali are good and fluctuating.

[Rruchi man]

Group A:
Cote D’Ivoire 🇨🇮
Nigeria 🇳🇬
Equatorial Guinea 🇬🇶
Guinea Bissau 🇬🇼...........

This group has so many attacking players doing great and banging goals in them various leagues. Nigerians are lucky to have Boniface and Victor Oshime. Stuggart star boy Guirassy. All of these Africans scoring goals would be definitely missed when they leave.

Include Awoniyi and Chukwueze to that list, because they are also very good Nigerians that are doing well in their respective clubs. With good coordination from José Peseiro our coach, We should be the first team to qualify from that group, then maybe the host Cote D'Ivoire. Let us just hope that none of our top players get injured before that time.

Group B:
Egypt 🇪🇬
Ghana 🇬🇭
Cape Verde 🇨🇻
Mozambique 🇲🇿

Egypt with Mo' Salah and Ghana with Thomas Partey should easily be able to qualify from this group.

Group C
Senegal 🇸🇳
Cameroon 🇨🇲
Guinea 🇬🇳
Gambia 🇬🇲

Senegal with Sadio Mane and Cameroon with a host of players like Aboubakar and Chuopo Moting should be able to qualify. Hopefully Onana will not be so much a mess for country when the time comes as he is currently for Manchester United.

Group D:
Algeria 🇩🇿
Burkina Faso 🇧🇫
Mauritania 🇲🇷
Angola 🇦🇴

Difficult to pick because I do not really know the strength of these teams.

Group E:
Tunisia 🇹🇳
Mali 🇲🇱
South Africa 🇿🇦
Namibia 🇳🇦

Tunisia and South Africa maybe.

[Oluwa-btc]

-snip-

Ok group A look good and I think Nigeria and Ivory Coast have an advantage. Group B, Ghana and Egypt are better than the others tho.
Now for Group C, teams are close to each other and Senegal & Cameroon will have hard times vs the others teams.
Group D, Algeria and Burkina Faso looks the best. For Group E, the situation is quite complex since Tunisia, South Africa and Mali are good and fluctuating.

Serhou Guirassy from Guinea and won't be part of this Nigerian group , I just wanted to get that updated. I also missed out a group and that was group F

Group D:
Algeria 🇩🇿
Burkina Faso 🇧🇫
Mauritania 🇲🇷
Angola 🇦🇴

Difficult to pick because I do not really know the strength of these teams.

C'mon, This shouldn't be the different and difficult group for you to pick. Algeria should go top of the list, I can wrap my head around all the names of those Algerian lads, but I can do so easily with Mahrez. Former Manchester City and Leicester City player.

Onana before now has issues with his National Team, he was sent home before the world cup, I still have no idea if that has been all settled down.

[Rruchi man]

Group D:
Algeria 🇩🇿
Burkina Faso 🇧🇫
Mauritania 🇲🇷
Angola 🇦🇴

Difficult to pick because I do not really know the strength of these teams.

C'mon, This shouldn't be the different and difficult group for you to pick. Algeria should go top of the list, I can wrap my head around all the names of those Algerian lads, but I can do so easily with Mahrez. Former Manchester City and Leicester City player.

Oh yea! Mahrez can be a big influence for the Algerian side. He is not doing so bad in the Saudi Professional league like Sadio Mane, so he should be fit and ready to represent his country.

Onana before now has issues with his National Team, he was sent home before the world cup, I still have no idea if that has been all settled down.

Onana openly disagreed with the tactics of the Cameroonian coach, that was why he was dropped. The issue has been settled and he has been recalled back to the team, he will most likely be a part of the team in the AFCON.

[Sexylizzy2813]

Saudi Arabia vs Nigeria. International Match.
5:00pm, Friday 13th October 2023.

Estadio Municipal de Portimao.

My bet is on Nigeria. I am not too excited about this match just as I wasn't during game with Sao Tome . Saudi Arabia team is weak. They have lost all their last 5 international games. The odds in the bookies will be low. Don't expect to win anything tangible.

- https://www.skysports.com/football/saudi-arabia-vs-nigeria/499356

Seriously whenever we're having any game against any national team that's not good enough to withstand the Super Eagles I just get scared because the Super Eagles have this ability of underrating lesser opponent. I'll still stand by what I said last time when they played Sao Tome and Principe, let them win first before I applaud them.
But this encounter is going to be much different from last game the Eagles played, the set of invitees will some how give today's game a different approach (in the style of play). But I'll be watching how some of these players would blend with the older players. A win for Nigeria is certain but not like last result against Sao Tome and Principe, we shouldn't expect much goals.

[Stepstowealth]

Saudi Arabia vs Nigeria. International Match.
5:00pm, Friday 13th October 2023.

Estadio Municipal de Portimao.

Nigeria have dominated the game and have had most of the chances to score, but the attackers have been lacking in finishing. Ademola Lookman wasted the best chance of the first half which was a clear one on one with the goalkeeper from Saudi, but he played the ball wide, it was not even on target. Samuel Chukwueze also had a good chance too, but played it wide as well. The Nigerian team is looking sharp with their crosses from the wide wings into the penalty for Victor Osimhen to contest for. It has not yet worked in the creation of a goal but it has caused the Saudi defenders a lot of problem.

HT
SAUDI ARABIA (0) - NIGERIA (0)

[Sexylizzy2813]

I said it from the beginning, the Super Eagles are not to be trusted in any game no matter who they're playing. What a very poor goalkeeping by Uzoho, I wonder why he's always under unnecessary pressure. When the ball came in there was no body contesting for the ball with him and he just made a mess and now we're losing to a goal to nil.
I just hope this isn't what we're going to be seeing in the AFCON, good thing we have Ivory coast in our group let's see how playful we can be in that group.
For this friendly game I just can't say much but laugh because is time we just watch and expect nothing from the Eagles till they get the job done.

[Oluwa-btc]

Oh yea! Mahrez can be a big influence for the Algerian side. He is not doing so bad in the Saudi Professional league like Sadio Mane, so he should be fit and ready to represent his country.

Onana before now has issues with his National Team, he was sent home before the world cup, I still have no idea if that has been all settled down.

Onana openly disagreed with the tactics of the Cameroonian coach, that was why he was dropped. The issue has been settled and he has been recalled back to the team, he will most likely be a part of the team in the AFCON.

I haven't watched him closed up since he left the Premier League Competition ( Manchester City ) but I'm still sure about how much of a great player, winger and chance creator he has been for Manchester City, Leicester City and the Algerian National Team.
Asides him, Benrhama of  Westham United is also a big name mentioned. Slimani is also a big striker who they have relied on during somebig games. They should go top of that group.

Erik Ten Hag I've read will be ready for a change if he doesn't improve with the return from International duties and games. He had a rough start and the media has painted him red even though he hasn't been the fault leading to some of those goals he has conceded since he began.

[Davidvictorson]

I said it from the beginning, the Super Eagles are not to be trusted in any game no matter who they're playing. What a very poor goalkeeping by Uzoho, I wonder why he's always under unnecessary pressure. When the ball came in there was no body contesting for the ball with him and he just made a mess and now we're losing to a goal to nil.
I just hope this isn't what we're going to be seeing in the AFCON, good thing we have Ivory coast in our group let's see how playful we can be in that group.
For this friendly game I just can't say much but laugh because is time we just watch and expect nothing from the Eagles till they get the job done.

I am  not disappointed. I had a low expectation of the team and nothing more. We need a very good goalkeeper our defence is weak and must be strengthened with good players. So many missed chances which would have turned the scoreboard in favour of the super eagles. We are not ready for any competitive event until something is done about the present team. Lastly, more home based players need to be in the squad.

[Oluwa-btc]

I said it from the beginning, the Super Eagles are not to be trusted in any game no matter who they're playing. What a very poor goalkeeping by Uzoho, I wonder why he's always under unnecessary pressure. When the ball came in there was no body contesting for the ball with him and he just made a mess and now we're losing to a goal to nil.
I just hope this isn't what we're going to be seeing in the AFCON, good thing we have Ivory coast in our group let's see how playful we can be in that group.
For this friendly game I just can't say much but laugh because is time we just watch and expect nothing from the Eagles till they get the job done.

I am  not disappointed. I had a low expectation of the team and nothing more. We need a very good goalkeeper our defence is weak and must be strengthened with good players. So many missed chances which would have turned the scoreboard in favour of the super eagles. We are not ready for any competitive event until something is done about the present team. Lastly, more home based players need to be in the squad.

That's what we all long to see but you see the so called azzholes in charge of the Nigerian Football Federation will never want to see that happening because they have taken bribe from players they'll want to introduce into the squad.
I read Victor Oshime was substitute due to Injury.
How was the impact, I hope the injury won't cause a big blow for himself, Nigerians and Napoli. This is a point they'll need his goals and support.

Napoli will need him for his goals and Nigerians needs him fit so he can perform when the African Cup of Nations starts. Let's hope it's just a slight Injury.