FIFA NAMES CHADIAN REFEREES FOR NIGERIA-LESOTHO WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
World football-governing body, FIFA, has appointed ALHADI ALLAOU MAHAMAT from Chad as referee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Crocodiles of Lesotho.
ALLAOU, who was also in charge for Nigeria’s one-zero win over Rwanda in Uyo on September 5, will be assisted by compatriots BOGOLA ISSA, MOUSSA HAFIZ, and ABDELKERIM OUSMANE.
FIFA also appointed Kenyan official ALICE DAMARIS KIMANI as referee assessor, while WILLIAM MAKINATI SHONGWE from eSwatini will be in the role of commissioner.
The Matchday-Nine encounter is billed for the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa, on Friday this week, October 10, 2025, and the kick-off time is 5PM Nigerian time.
Nigeria are presently three points off first-placed Benin Republic and second-placed South Africa, and will need an outright win to enhance their chances of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, to be jointly-hosted by the United States of America, Canada and Mexico next summer.