By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
World football’s governing body, FIFA, has confirmed the appointment of Gabonese referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho to take charge of the high-stakes 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying clash between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and South Africa in Bloemfontein.
The showdown, billed for Tuesday, will be played at the Toyota Stadium and marks Matchday 8 of the African qualification series.
In its appointment list, FIFA stated: “Gabonese official Pierre Ghislain Atcho will referee the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and South Africa on Tuesday in Bloemfontein.”
Atcho will not be alone on duty. His countrymen Boris Marlaise Ditsoga, Amos Abeigne Ndong and Cregue Fleury Moukagni have been penciled in as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively.
Adding in a September 5 release obtained from the NFF website on Sunday further oversight, “Olivier Safari Kabene from the Democratic Republic of Congo will serve as the referee assessor while Ugandan Mike Letti will be in the role of commissioner.”
The Bloemfontein clash has already been billed as one of the pivotal fixtures of the qualification race, with Nigeria and South Africa both desperate to secure maximum points.
The choice of Atcho, who has handled several CAF Champions League fixtures, is expected to bring calm and neutrality to the fiery contest.
THE METRO earlier reported that in a tense and pivotal World Cup qualifying encounter at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria eked out a narrow but vital 1–0 victory over Rwanda, reigniting their hopes in the 2026.