FIFA has announced that Pierre Ghislain Atcho of Gabon will be the center referee for the highly anticipated 2026 World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
Atcho, a rising star in African officiating, will be supported by an all-Gabonese crew, including Boris Marlaise Ditsoga and Amos Abeigne Ndong as assistant referees, and Cregue Fleury Moukagni as the fourth official. The match will also feature Olivier Safari Kabene from the Democratic Republic of Congo as the referee assessor and Mike Letti of Uganda as the match commissioner.
The crucial matchday eight fixture is set for next Tuesday, September 9, at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Both teams understand the high stakes, as the outcome will be vital for their World Cup aspirations. The Super Eagles are hoping to bounce back from a mixed campaign, while Bafana Bafana will look to capitalize on their home advantage against their long-standing rivals.
Before the showdown with South Africa, the Super Eagles will face Rwanda in a separate qualifying match this Saturday, September 6, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.
