Nigerian Officiating Team to Lead AFCON Qualifier
CAF will deploy an all-Nigerian team to officiate the Cameroon-Comoros match on September 24, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Soccer
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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed an all-Nigerian officiating team to manage the opening Group G qualifying match between Cameroon and Comoros. The contest will take place on September 24, 2026, at the Roumdé Adjia Stadium in Garoua.
Why it matters
This assignment marks the beginning of the competitive Group G qualifying campaign as part of the broader effort to determine the participants for the 2027 tournament. The match represents one of 24 fixtures scheduled by CAF across 12 groups to initiate the qualification process.
A total of 48 nations are competing across 12 groups to secure spots for the tournament, which will ultimately produce 21 finalists for the 2027 event. The Cameroon-Comoros match is scheduled to kick off at 7pm GMT.
The players
Abdulsalam Abiola Kasim
He is the lead referee tasked with overseeing the match according to CAF Laws of the Game.
Confederation of African Football
It is the administrative and controlling body for African association football which organizes the AFCON qualifiers.
The details
Abdulsalam Abiola Kasim will serve as the center referee, supported by assistant referees Muhammad Yakubu Mahamud and Ahmad Tijjani Mustapha. Abubakar Nurudeen will manage technical areas and administrative duties as the fourth official for the Group G fixture.
Timeline
September 24, 2026: Cameroon plays Comoros in the opening qualifying fixture.
September 24-26, 2026: CAF hosts 24 matches across 12 qualifying groups.
November 2026: Matchdays 3 and 4 of the qualifying campaign take place.
March 22-30, 2027: The final two rounds of the qualifying campaign occur.
June 19 to July 17, 2027: The AFCON 2027 finals are staged.
Season Trajectory
This match marks the start of the Group G campaign that will help define the competitive landscape for the continent's top teams. The result will influence the early point distribution for the 48 participating nations aiming for the 24-team final tournament field.
The match result will establish the initial points standing for Group G as teams begin their quest to qualify for the 2027 tournament. Fans and analysts will look to this opening game to gauge the current form of both Cameroon and Comoros within the broader qualification field.
The takeaway
The selection of a regional officiating crew highlights the standard operational procedures maintained by CAF throughout its international tournament cycles. Consistent application of the Laws of the Game remains a primary focus for officials managing high-stakes qualification matches.
Further reading
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