Nigerian FIFA futsal referee Ojeleye John Tope has continued to strengthen his reputation on the continental stage following his participation in the 2026 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, where he successfully passed the Confederation of African Football (CAF) fitness assessment and received officiating appointments.
Sports247 reports that Ojeleye’s involvement in the tournament represents another milestone in his international refereeing career, highlighting Nigeria’s growing presence in African futsal officiating.
The Nigerian official was among the referees selected for the continental championship, with his appointments demonstrating the opportunities available to match officials who meet CAF’s professional requirements.
Ojeleye reportedly received his first tournament assignment on October 15, officiating during the encounter between Tanzania and Angola. Angola secured an emphatic 6-0 victory, with the fixture providing the Nigerian referee an opportunity to gain further experience at continental level.
His participation followed his successful completion of CAF’s mandatory fitness assessment, an important requirement for officials selected to handle international competitions.
Ojeleye subsequently received another assignment for Mozambique’s encounter against Tanzania on October 17. The Nigerian was listed as the second referee alongside Senegalese official Elhadji Dieme.
Mozambique emerged 4-0 winners, completing their campaign with a convincing performance. The appointment further strengthened Ojeleye’s tournament experience and added another continental fixture to his officiating record.
Before his involvement in the Futsal AFCON, Ojeleye had already gained experience handling international fixtures.
In January 2026, he was appointed for the Africa Cup of Nations futsal qualifying encounter between Cape Verde and Senegal. His progression from qualifying matches to the continental championship reflects his continued involvement in CAF-organised competitions.
Ojeleye’s participation represents an encouraging development for Nigerian refereeing, particularly in futsal, where opportunities for international exposure remain important to officials’ professional growth.
His successful fitness assessment and subsequent appointments underline the importance of physical preparation, technical knowledge and consistency in officiating.
As African futsal continues to develop, Nigerian officials will be hoping to secure greater representation at major continental and international competitions.
For Ojeleye John Tope, the 2026 Futsal AFCON has provided another platform to build experience, strengthen his professional credentials and represent Nigeria in continental football officiating.
