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The Head of Refereeing at the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Desire Noumandiez Doue, recently made a significant statement regarding Nigerian referees and their non-selection for the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
At a training session in Abidjan, Doue emphasized the high standards expected by CAF and suggested that while Nigerian referees are competent, they still have a way to go to reach the pinnacle required for events like AFCON.
Nigerian Referees: Not Yet the Best for AFCON
Doue, speaking at Sol Beni (ASEC Mimosas Training Centre), outlined the criteria for referee selection in CAF competitions. He acknowledged the quality of Nigerian referees but stressed the need for them to elevate their skills to be considered among the best.
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“You have good referees in Nigeria but this is our message to them, they need to come to CAF competition, especially to the AFCON,” Doue said as reported by Sporting Tribune.
This statement comes as a response to the concerns raised after CAF decided to overlook Nigerian referees for this year's tournament, which features a wide array of officiating talents, including centre referees, assistant referees, and VAR specialists.
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Doue detailed the rigorous selection process, emphasizing continuous scouting, evaluation, and the categorization of referees into young talent, elite B, and elite A.
“We don’t need good referees, good referees are for the MAs, good referees are for the zone, in CAF we need the best," he remarked, highlighting the distinction between good and the best in the context of CAF's standards.
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The Ivorian referee also touched upon the ongoing efforts to perfect the VAR system, admitting the challenges and the continuous improvement required.
“Presently, nobody can’t learn from us, we are just trying to do our best,” he stated, signalling a commitment to enhancing the VAR process and overall refereeing quality in African football.
Doue concluded with a call for humility and continuous effort, suggesting that praise for the successful implementation of VAR at AFCON should be reserved until after the competition.
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