FIFA names referees for Nigeria, S’Africa World Cup qualifiers Tuesday
World football’s governing body, FIFA, has confirmed the appointment of Gabonese referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho to take charge of the high-stakes 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying clash between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and South Africa in Bloemfontein.
The showdown, billed for Tuesday, will be played at the Toyota Stadium and marks Matchday 8 of the African qualification series.
In its appointment list, FIFA stated: “Gabonese official Pierre Ghislain Atcho will referee the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and South Africa on Tuesday in Bloemfontein.”
Atcho will not be alone on duty. His countrymen Boris Marlaise Ditsoga, Amos Abeigne Ndong and Cregue Fleury Moukagni have been penciled in as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively.
Adding in a September 5 release obtained from the NFF website on Sunday further oversight, “Olivier Safari Kabene from the Democratic Republic of Congo will serve as the referee assessor while Ugandan Mike Letti will be in the role of commissioner.”
The Bloemfontein clash has already been billed as one of the pivotal fixtures of the qualification race, with Nigeria and South Africa both desperate to secure maximum points.
The choice of Atcho, who has handled several CAF Champions League fixtures, is expected to bring calm and neutrality to the fiery contest.
PUNCH Online earlier reported that in a tense and pivotal World Cup qualifying encounter at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria eked out a narrow but vital 1–0 victory over Rwanda, reigniting their hopes in the 2026.
The match remained deadlocked until the 51st minute, when substitute Tolu Arokodare, amid a scramble inside the Rwandan penalty box, managed to slot home a bouncing ball, breaking the stalemate and handing Nigeria the lead.
The home side’s defense, marshaled effectively by Calvin Bassey, stood firm even after a significant blow—the loss of star striker Victor Osimhen, who limped off during the first half, tested the squad’s resilience—but the Super Eagles held on to claim all three points.
With this crucial win, Nigeria climbs to 10 points after seven matches, moving within striking distance of group leaders South Africa, while Rwanda remains a step behind on 8 points, tightening the race for qualification.
The Super Eagles on Saturday navigated another critical hurdle on home soil. FIFA had confirmed that “Chadian official Allaou Mahamat will be the referee for Saturday’s Matchday 7 encounter between Nigeria and Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.”
Mahamat will be assisted by his compatriots: “Bogollah Issa, Moussa Hafiz and Abdelkerim Ousmane in the roles of assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively.”
For this Uyo fixture, “Taher Abdelsalam Mahmoud from Egypt will serve as referee assessor while Bakary Jammeh from Gambia will be the commissioner.”
