Super Eagles last two World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde will be officiated by referees from Tunisia and Algeria respectively
They also get Ivorian Referee Assessors and Sierra Leonean Match Commissioners for the two games.
By Kehinde Okeowo
FIFA has appointed referees from Tunisia to officiate Super Eagles’ game against Liberia, while Algerian referees will take charge of the last game against Cape Verde.
Super Eagles currently lead Group C with 9 points and their closest rival in the group are Cape Verde, who are on 7points and waiting to pounce on a slip from Nigeria.
A win in the last game against Cape Verde in Lagos will guarantee Nigeria’s qualification into the next round. However, they might just qualify before then, if they beat Liberia, and the Central Africa Republic hold or beat Cape Verde.
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Tunisian referee, 42-year-old, Youssef Essrayri, is expected to take charge of the clash between the Super Eagles and the Lone Star of Liberia at the Grand Stade de Tangier in Morocco on Saturday, 13th November.
He will be assisted by compatriots Mahrez Melki, who is the fourth official and
Aymen Ismail and Youssef Jami, who are the assistant referees 1 and 2 respectively. The game is expected to commence at 5 pm Morocco time (6 pm Nigeria time).
Ivorian Seli Zinko, who was a former FIFA referee will be the Referee Assessor while Sierra Leonean, Sullay Kamara was appointed the Match Commissioner by FIFA.
Nigeria won the reverse fixture of this encounter 2-0, with Leicester City striker, Kelechi Iheanacho, scoring a brace at the Teslim Balogun stadium in Lagos.
Similarly, the Super Eagles’ last encounter against the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde on Tuesday, 16th November, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos will have all Algerian officials.
Mustapha Ghorbal will be the center referee and he will be assisted by compatriots, Lahlou Benbraham, as the fourth official, while Mokrane Gourari and Abbes Akram Zerhouni are Assistant referees 1 and 2.
Another Ivorian, Nomandiez Doue, who was also a former FIFA referee serves as Referee Assessor, while Sierra Leonean Prince Kai Saquee will be the Match Commissioner. The match is expected to kick off by 5 pm.
The first leg of the encounter against Cape Verde saw the Super Eagles come from behind to win the encounter 2-1.