Izuchukwu Okosi
World-governing body, FIFA, on Wednesday effected changes to the officiating team of the 2026 World Cup qualifying match between Benin Republic and Nigeria scheduled for the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in the Ivorian capital on Monday, 10th June 2024.
The development, according to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), have seen Ethiopian official Bamlak Tessema Weyesa, who was originally designated as referee for the encounter scheduled to kick off at 4 pm changed. In his place, Gabonese official Pierre Ghislain Atcho will now be the referee.
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Weyesa’s compatriots Temesgin Samuel Atango and Tigle Gizaw Belachew have been retained as assistant referee 1 and assistant referee 2 respectively. However, another Ethiopian, Tewodros Mitiku, earlier designated as fourth official, has been thrown out, replaced by Cameroonian Antoine Max Effa Essouma.
The originally-designated referee assessor, match commissioner and security officer retain their places in the Day 4 encounter that comes up only three days after the Super Eagles, Bafana Bafana clash at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo in a Day 3 battle.
