Nigerian referees will begin special training on VAR after 18-year absence at international tournaments.

The absence of Nigerian referees at the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast has sparked considerable conversation.

No Nigerian referee has taken the center stage at the AFCON since 2006.

Desire Noumandiez Doue, the Head of Refereeing at the Confederation of African Football (CAF), pointed to performance issues as the core reason Nigerian referees were sidelined, emphasizing the necessity for them to elevate their game to align with CAF’s expectations.