World football governing body FIFA has confirmed the team of match officials for Nigeria’s upcoming fixtures in the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers.

Gabonese referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho will take charge of the high-profile clash between South Africa and Nigeria on Tuesday, Matchday 8, at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein. He will be assisted by compatriots Boris Marlaise Ditsoga (Assistant Referee 1), Amos Abeigne Ndong (Assistant Referee 2), and Cregue Fleury Moukagni (Fourth Official).

The officials’ panel will be supervised by Olivier Safari Kabene from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who has been appointed as referee assessor, while Ugandan Mike Letti will serve as the match commissioner.

Before then, on Saturday (Matchday 7), Nigeria will host Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo. FIFA has appointed Allaou Mahamat from Chad as referee, with fellow countrymen Bogollah Issa (Assistant Referee 1), Moussa Hafiz (Assistant Referee 2), and Abdelkerim Ousmane (Fourth Official) completing the officiating crew.

For that game, Taher Abdelsalam Mahmoud from Egypt will serve as referee assessor, while Bakary Jammeh from Gambia has been designated as match commissioner.

Both fixtures are crucial as Nigeria battles for points in the race to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup