Nigerian Referee Abiola Abdulsalam Selected for U-17 World Cup
Abiola Kasimu Abdulsalam, a 34-year-old referee from Zamfara, has been selected by FIFA as one of the 81 match officials for the U-17 World Cup in Qatar. This selection is significant as it ends a 25-year wait for a Nigerian centre referee at the tournament.
Abdulsalam is the only Nigerian centre referee on FIFA's list and one of four referees from Africa chosen for the event. FIFA's announcement included 27 referees and 54 assistant referees from 36 member associations.
Abdulsalam has gained considerable international experience, having officiated in two CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and various WAFU competitions. He is also scheduled to referee a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between Cameroon and Comoros.
Abdulsalam became a FIFA-listed referee in 2022 and has maintained his international badge through annual assessments. Pierluigi Collina, chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, stated that the selected officials are among FIFA's most promising match officials.
Plus234Feed summary based on reporting from Punch Newspapers. Read the original report below.
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