The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed a team of Cameroonian officials to oversee Nigeria’s Round of 16 match against Mozambique at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Abdou Abdel Mefir, 29, who is the youngest referee at the AFCON 2025, will take charge as centre referee, with his countrymen, Elvis Noupoue and Carine Atezambong, appointed as his assistants.
The tie is scheduled for Monday at the Complexe Sportif de Fès, with kick-off set for 8pm Nigerian time.
It will mark only the second meeting between the Super Eagles and the Mambas at the AFCON finals. Their first encounter came at the 2010 tournament in Angola, where Nigeria claimed a convincing 3-0 win.
Beyond the officiating details, former Nigeria captain Sunday Oliseh has issued a timely warning to the Super Eagles as the knockout rounds begin. Speaking on his podcast, Oliseh reminded the team that the margins are far slimmer once the group phase ends.
“We’re starting the round of 16. What changes here now is that if you lose, you go home,” Oliseh said. “It is no longer important how beautiful you play; what matters is the result, and that is why the Super Eagles have to make sure their priority is not conceding.”
Nigeria arrive at the Round of 16 with momentum, having won all three of their group matches, the only side to post a perfect record at the tournament so far.
Under coach Eric Chelle, the Super Eagles scored eight goals and conceded four during the group stage, a return that highlighted both their attacking threat and the defensive focus Oliseh is calling for.
