Ghanaian referee Selorm Yao Bless has been appointed to handle proceedings in the WAFU B U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying clash between Nigeria and Benin.
The Group B encounter is scheduled for Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at the Lycée Scientifique de Yamoussoukro in Côte d’Ivoire.
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Yao Bless will serve as the centre referee, with his compatriot Theophilus Aberenga Akugree named as Assistant Referee 1. Togo’s Mifitahou Amidou has been listed as Assistant Referee 2
Nigerien official Zouwaira Souley Sani Souley will take charge as the fourth official.
CAF also confirmed other key appointments for the fixture. I
vorian Agathe Athacou will serve as Match Commissioner, while Niger’s Issaka Boubacar has been designated as Referees Assessor.
Burkinabe Juste Ephrem Zio has been appointed General Coordinator, with Ghana’s Patrick Akoto to act as Assistant General Coordinator.
A win for Nigeria will qualify the team into the Semi Final as Benin Republic and Burkina Faso played a goalless draw in the group opening game over the weekend.
The Golden Eaglets, five-time FIFA U-17 World Cup winners, are determined to make a strong start in Yamoussoukro as they chase qualification for the continental showpiece.
Nigeria has traditionally excelled at this level, and coach Manu Garba’s boys will be eager to maintain that pedigree against a resilient Benin side.
This fixture marks the Eaglets’ first step in the regional qualifiers, which will determine which West African nations secure a place at the next U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
The team has been in camp fine-tuning tactics and building chemistry, with a strong emphasis on attacking football and discipline at the back.
With Ghanaian officials taking charge of what is expected to be a high-tempo contest, both Nigeria and Benin will be looking to stamp their authority early in the competition.
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