By Samuel Akpan
Chadian referee Alhadji Allaou Mahamat has been appointed to officiate Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar this Friday, September 25.
The opening encounter will take place at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Leading a full officiating crew, Mahamat will oversee what promises to be a fiercely contested clash.
The Super Eagles aim to leverage strong home support to take early control of Group L, while 104th-ranked Madagascar travel to Uyo determined to secure a result and keep their tournament hopes alive.
The choice of the Chadian referee adds an international flavour to a highly billed encounter as both camps press on with preparations for the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.
Mention Madagascar to a Nigerian football fan, and memories of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations inevitably resurface.
Before that fateful Sunday encounter in Egypt, the island nation had never even scored against the Super Eagles.
That history was rewritten in dramatic fashion.
The breakthrough came just 12 minutes in, when John Ogu played a ball back toward Leon Balogun.
A costly hesitation by the defender allowed Madagascar to pounce and snatch the lead.
Early in the second half, lightning struck twice: in the 53rd minute, Carolus Andriamahitsinoro’s free-kick deflected heavily off halftime substitute Wilfred Ndidi, wrong-footing the goalkeeper and cementing a historic defeat that still stings.
The ricochet wrong-footed goalkeeper Ezenwa before bouncing in off the right post, completing a famous win for the Barea.
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