Two Nigerian referees, Kazzim Abiola and Samuel Pwadutakam, have been selected by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to participate in the pre-competition training and evaluation program for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) scheduled to begin early in 2025, Sports247 gathered.
The course, to be held in Cairo, Egypt, from December 4th to 9th, 2024, will prepare referees from across the continent, equipping them with updated knowledge and practical training on the latest rules and refereeing technology.
This workshop is a final qualifying step; successful participants will be appointed to officiate at the CHAN tournament in Kenya.
Abiola, a seasoned FIFA-badged referee based in Zamfara, has gained experience through multiple African competitions, and will take part in the program as a lead referee.
His compatriot, Pwadutakam from Adamawa, is slated to participate in the assistant referee category, marking his second high-profile international assignment under CAF’s designation.
The rigorous pre-competition preparations are part of CAF’s push to uphold a high standard of officiating across its tournaments.
The training in Cairo will include both physical and theoretical assessments, ensuring that the selected referees demonstrate the stamina, sharpness, and understanding required to handle the CHAN competition’s demanding matches.
Physical fitness and technical understanding are prioritized, alongside instruction on utilizing VAR and other officiating technologies.
The African Nations Championship is unique to CAF, as it is reserved exclusively for players competing in their respective domestic leagues, and it will run from February 1 to 28, 2025, in Kenya.
The presence of these Nigerian officials underscores CAF’s commitment to elevating African referees on the global stage, building a pipeline of experienced officials ready to contribute to international football.
