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 Africa time (5 p.m. Nigeria time).
Mahamat, who previously handled Nigeria’s 1–0 win 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 has also assigned Alice Kimani from Kenya as the referee assessor and William Shongwe from eSwatini as the match commissioner.
Currently sitting three points behind leaders Benin Republic and second-placed South Africa, Nigeria need a crucial victory to strengthen their bid for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico next summer.
The Super Eagles will follow up the Lesotho encounter with a decisive home match against Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on October 14.
FIFA has confirmed that Egyptian referee Omar Amin Mohamed Amin Mohamed will officiate the Benin fixture, assisted by compatriots Mahmoud Aboulergal and Ali Teleb.
Nigeria’s qualification hopes recently improved after FIFA sanctioned 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 Group standings, with Benin and South Africa now level on 14 points after eight matches, while Nigeria and Rwanda trail closely behind with 11 points each.
Securing maximum points from their final two games could lift Nigeria to 17 points, potentially enough to claim top spot — depending on other results.
