CAF Appoints Four Nigerian Officials for Ethiopia vs. Uganda WAFCON Qualifier

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed four Nigerian match officials to oversee the highly anticipated 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier between Ethiopia and Uganda.

Leading the officiating team is seasoned referee Patience Madu, who will be at the center of the action. She will be assisted by Abibatu Iyaduni Yusuf (Assistant Referee 1) and Mfom Friday Akpan (Assistant Referee 2), while Hannah Eliagwu will take on the role of fourth official.

Additionally, South Africa’s Deide Camil Zealand will serve as the referee assessor, while Christine Mukanboka from Rwanda has been named Match Commissioner.

The decisive second-leg encounter is set to take place on Wednesday next week at the Abebe Bekila Stadium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Uganda holds a strong advantage, having secured a 2-0 victory in the first leg in Kampala last Friday.

A Testament to Nigeria’s Growing Influence in African Football

This appointment is yet another testament to Nigeria’s growing presence and credibility in African football officiating. Over the years, Nigerian referees have continued to gain recognition on the continental stage, proving their competence and ability to handle high-stakes matches.

For many Nigerian football fans, this is a moment of pride—but it also raises a crucial question: Why is Nigeria excelling in refereeing while the performance of the national teams remains inconsistent?

Despite having top-class officials officiating international games, Nigerian women’s football still struggles to get the necessary investment, development, and attention. Perhaps it’s time for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to take a cue from CAF’s trust in Nigerian referees and channel that same energy into improving domestic leagues, supporting the Super Falcons, and investing in grassroots women’s football.

As Ethiopia and Uganda battle for a ticket to WAFCON 2026, one thing is clear—Nigeria’s presence will be felt, even if it’s not on the pitch. Now, can Nigerian women’s football get the same level of trust and support?

What are your thoughts? Should Nigeria do more to develop its women’s football program? Let’s hear from you! ⚽🔥👇