FIFA has stirred controversy by appointing South African officials for the 2026 World Cup playoff between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Panthers of Gabon.
Tom Abongile will serve as centre referee, Zakhele Siwela will take up the role of assistant referee while another South African, Akhona Makalima, will be in charge of Video Assistant Referee, VAR.
Bafana Bafana of South Africa beat Nigeria to the automatic qualification ticket in Group C.
