Nigerian FIFA futsal referee Ojeleye John Tope has secured another officiating assignment at the 2026 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with the Lagos-based official scheduled to serve as second referee in Saturday’s encounter between Mozambique and Tanzania.
The match, billed for 9pm on October 17, will mark Ojeleye’s second assignment at the continental championship, following his involvement in Tanzania’s 6-0 defeat to Angola in his opening game.
The latest appointment represents another important milestone for the Nigerian official, who continues to gain valuable experience on the African stage.
Ojeleye earned his place among the tournament officials after successfully completing the Confederation of African Football (CAF) pre-tournament physical fitness examinations in Morocco.
He passed the assessments alongside fellow Nigerian referee Bello Al Hassan Zuru, with both officials meeting the required standards following intensive training and rigorous evaluations.
Announcing their achievement earlier, the duo expressed pride in representing Nigeria at the continental tournament.
“This achievement reflects our dedication, discipline, commitment to excellence and determination to represent Nigeria with honour on the continental stage,” they stated.
Ojeleye, who earned his FIFA futsal badge in 2025 and retained it in 2026, has continued to build his international officiating profile through continental assignments.
His appointment as second referee for the Mozambique–Tanzania encounter provides another opportunity to demonstrate his understanding of the game, decision-making ability and professionalism.
The Nigerian officials had earlier pledged to uphold the highest standards throughout the championship.
“We are grateful for this opportunity and look forward to contributing to the success of the tournament through professionalism, fairness and excellence in officiating,” they declared.
With his first assignment completed, attention now turns to Ojeleye’s performance in Saturday’s fixture.
The back-to-back appointments underline Ojeleye’s growing involvement in continental futsal officiating and provide another opportunity for Nigerian refereeing to gain recognition at the international level.
