The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced plans to protest FIFA’s appointment of South African referee Tom Agbongila to officiate the Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup playoff clash against the Panthers of Gabon, scheduled for November 13, 2025, in Morocco.
The NFF expressed concerns over potential conflicts of interest and impartiality, citing the historic football rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa. It argued that appointing a South African referee for such a crucial encounter was inappropriate.
According to FIFA’s circular signed by Gordon Savic, Head of Qualifications and International Matches, Agbongila, 33, will serve as the centre referee for the fixture. He will be assisted by Santos Doz of Angola (Assistant Referee 1) and Thusi Granville, another South African (Assistant Referee 2).
In the VAR room, FIFA appointed Ahmad Imthaze of Mauritius, Makalima Zennith of South Africa, and Packuita Gynquela of Mauritius. The referee assessor for the match is Adjovi Hugues-Alain of the Benin Republic, while Prince Kai of Sierra Leone will serve as the match commissioner.
Sources within the NFF told The Guardian that the federation is preparing a formal protest letter to FIFA and CAF, requesting a neutral officiating team to ensure fairness in the playoffs.
An NFF official, who pleaded anonymity, said, “It is as if there is somebody in FIFA plotting to see that Nigeria does not qualify for the World Cup.
“FIFA allowed South Africa to play all but their games against Nigeria and Benin Republic in South Africa, this giving them an undue advantage over us. Now, they want to complete the job by picking South Africans for a game as important to us as the World Cup playoff against Gabon.
“We will let the whole world know what is happening,” the NFF official added.
The Nigeria–Gabon clash marks the opening game of the four-team African playoff to determine one of the continent’s final representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
