Two Nigerian referees, Salisu Basheer and Abdul Majeed Usman, have been selected to officiate at the upcoming WAFU Zone B U-20 Boys’ Cup, which is set to be held in Ghana from July 10 to 23, according to a report by PUNCH Sports Extra.
Basheer and Usman were nominated by the West African Football Union (WAFU) alongside 12 other match officials, bringing the total number of referees for the tournament to 14. The selected officials include seven central referees and seven assistant referees, with each of the participating countries contributing two representatives.
The appointed match officials are drawn from the seven countries taking part in the regional tournament.
Representing Benin Republic are Ahomlanto Dedjinnanchi Tanislas and Kouton Gbemassiandan, while Nikiema Jacqueline and Traore Daouda will officiate from Burkina Faso. Soro Tuonifere and Bamba Kalilou were named from the Ivory Coast; Bless Yao Selorm and Patricia Kyeraa will represent Ghana.
Niger will be represented by Ali Moussa Mohamed and Ali Hamidou, while Senyo Kossi and Agbedanou Abra Sitsofe will officiate from Togo. Nigeria will be represented by Salisu Basheer and Abdul Majeed Usman.
The selection aims to promote balance, fairness, and inclusiveness throughout the tournament, with a diverse panel of officials representing each participating nation.
The tournament will also play a crucial role in the preparations of Nigeria’s U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, ahead of the FIFA U-20 World Cup scheduled to take place in Chile from September 27 to October 19.
Head coach Aliyu Zubairu is expected to use the competition to evaluate and fine-tune his squad.
Nigeria, who have finished as runners-up twice in the FIFA U-20 World Cup, will be aiming to lift their first title when the team travels to South America later this year.
The third edition of the WAFU Zone B U-20 tournament will feature six countries divided into two groups. Group A consists of host nation Ghana, Nigeria, and Benin Republic, while Group B includes the Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Togo, and Niger.