FIFA has announced changes to the officiating team for the 2026 World Cup qualifying match between the Benin Republic and Nigeria’s Super Eagles, scheduled to take place at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on Monday, June 10, 2024.
Originally, Ethiopian referee Bamlak Tessema Weyesa was set to officiate the match, which will kick off at 4 pm. However, he has been replaced by Gabonese referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho.
Despite the change, Weyesa’s compatriots Temesgin Samuel Atango and Tigle Gizaw Belachew will remain as assistant referee 1 and assistant referee 2, respectively. Additionally, Ethiopian fourth official Tewodros Mitiku has been replaced by Cameroonian Antoine Max Effa Essouma.
The originally appointed referee assessor, match commissioner, and security officer will continue in their roles for this crucial Day 4 encounter. The match comes just three days after Nigeria’s Super Eagles face South Africa’s Bafana Bafana at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo for their Day 3 fixture.
