The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has completely snubbed reports that foreign match officials would be appointed for the decisive 2022 World Cup playoff clash between Ghana and Nigeria this month by naming two Africans for the two matches.
Moroccan referee Redouane Jiyed has been entrusted to handle the first leg in Cape Coast while the return match will be officiated by Tunisian referee Sadok Selmi.
This confirms Ghanasoccernet.com exclusive report last week that CAF was never considering appointing non-African referees to officiate the 2022 World Cup playoff tie between Nigeria and Ghana.
This came because a Nigerian news outlet claimed last week that (CAF) have met to consider appointing non-African referees for the 2022 World Cup final playoffs.
But Africa’s football governing body insiders told Ghanasoccernet.com they have got enough qualified referees with high integrity to officiate the showdown between the arch-rivals.
CAF insiders told Ghana’s leading football news outfit that they believe in the competence of African officials to handle such matches with a World Cup slot at stake.
The Nigerian media last week claimed that CAF was considering foreign referees to guarantee fairness when the decisive games between the West African rivals are played with big expectation.
CAF has now carried out its promise and will use some of its top African officials to emphasise their belief that Africans are capable of handling matches of such magnitude with global attention on the match.
In addition to fierce rivalries there is a lot being staked on these playoffs with prize money that is at least $12 million to the teams that compete for Africa in Qatar in the coming months.
The Black Stars will host the Super Eagles on March 25 in Cape Coast. The reverse game will be played in Abuja just four days after.
