The Confederation of African Football has appointed experienced Ethiopian referee Tewodros Mitiku to take charge of Tuesday’s crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Guinea-Bissau and Nigeria at the Estádio 24 de Setembro in Bissau.
Mitiku will lead an all-Ethiopian officiating team for the Group L top-of-the-table encounter, with Fasika Biru Yehualashet serving as first assistant referee and Tigle Gizaw Belachew as second assistant.
Manuhe Woldetsadik has been appointed fourth official. The appointments have also been independently reported ahead of Tuesday’s fixture.
Mitiku brings considerable international experience to the assignment. FIFA’s official refereeing records list him as an international referee since 2018, while Belachew has been an international assistant referee since 2012 and Woldetsadik a FIFA-listed referee since 2022.
Interestingly, Mitiku is not entirely unfamiliar with Nigerian international football. He served as fourth official when Nigeria faced Benin Republic in a 2026 World Cup qualifier in Abidjan in June 2024, with fellow Ethiopian Bamlak Tessema handling the whistle.
CAF has also appointed Senegal’s Yaya Balde as match commissioner, while one of African football’s most recognisable former referees, Papa Bakary Gassama of The Gambia, will serve as referee assessor.
The officials will oversee a contest carrying considerable early significance after both Guinea-Bissau and Nigeria won their opening qualifiers.
Nigeria defeated Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo, while the Wild Dogs beat Tanzania 2-0, leaving Tuesday’s opponents separated only by goal difference at the top of Group L.
The Super Eagles also have positive memories of the venue, having defeated Guinea-Bissau 1-0 in Bissau in March 2023, with Moses Simon converting the decisive penalty.
Tuesday’s encounter kicks off at 4pm local time and 5pm Nigerian time.
With two perfect records colliding in Bissau, Mitiku and his Ethiopian officiating crew will be at the centre of one of Group L’s most consequential early battles.
