In a recent statement, Desire Noumandiez Doue, Head of Refereeing at the Confederation of African Football (CAF), addressed the exclusion of Nigerian referees from the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) roster.
Doue clarified that the decision was based on CAF's pursuit of the absolute best referees for continental competitions, such as the AFCON. Despite acknowledging the competence of Nigerian referees for domestic and regional matches, Doue emphasized the need for continuous improvement, urging them to actively participate in CAF competitions.
The Ivorian referee highlighted the meticulous year-and-a-half-long selection process, spanning scouting, evaluation, and final selection from the elite A category.
Doue also addressed the performance of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), expressing satisfaction with its success at AFCON but cautioning against premature praise. He stressed the importance of continuous improvement, emphasizing that maintaining high standards is a priority beyond the ongoing tournament.
Source: Soccernet
