2026 WCQ: FIFA APPOINTS CHADIAN REFEREE, ALHADI MAHAMAT FOR NIGERIA VS LESOTHO CLASH

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By: Sefiu Ajape

World football governing body, FIFA, has appointed Chadian referee Alhadi Mahamat to officiate Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho next week.

The matchday nine fixture will take place at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa, on Friday, October 10, 2025, kicking off at 6 p.m. South African time (5 p.m. in Nigeria).

Mahamat, who previously officiated Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Uyo on September 6 during matchday seven, will be assisted by compatriots Bogola Issa (first assistant referee), Moussa Hafiz (second assistant referee), and Abdelkerim Ousmane (fourth official).

FIFA also appointed Kenyan official Alice Kimani as the referee assessor, while eSwatini’s William Shongwe will serve as the match commissioner.

With Nigeria sitting three points behind group leaders Benin Republic and second-placed South Africa, the Super Eagles must secure an outright win to strengthen their chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico next summer.

The fixture against Lesotho will be followed by a decisive home tie against Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on October 14.

FIFA has also confirmed that Egyptian referee Omar Amin Mohamed will take charge of the Benin clash, with Mahmoud Aboulergal and Ali Teleb serving as assistant referees.

Nigeria’s qualification hopes were recently boosted after FIFA penalised South Africa for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in their 2-0 win over Lesotho in March, awarding a 3-0 victory to Lesotho instead.

The ruling reshaped the group standings, with Benin Republic and South Africa now level on 14 points at the top, while Nigeria and Rwanda trail closely with 11 points each after eight matches.

A perfect six points from their final two fixtures could lift Nigeria to 17 points—potentially enough to top the group, depending on other results.