FIFA names Nigerian referee among 81 officials for U-17 World Cup

Nigeria's football officials are celebrating as Abiola Kasimu Abdulsalam, a 34-year-old Nigerian referee, has been selected among 81 officials for the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar. This marks a significant milestone for Nigeria, as it will end a 25-year wait for a centre referee from the country at the prestigious tournament.

Abdulsalam, who became a FIFA-listed referee in 2022, has gained considerable international experience, including participation in two CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and several WAFU competitions. FIFA's Referees Committee chairman Pierluigi Collina emphasized that Abdulsalam's selection reflects the quality of the officials chosen for the U-17 World Cup, highlighting their potential to excel in major tournaments and adapt to the demands of international refereeing.

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