The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has made a decisive and contentious appointment for Nigeria's opening match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Mauritanian referee Dahane Beida will be the man in the middle when the Super Eagles face the Taifa Stars of Tanzania on Tuesday, December 23.
A History of High-Stakes Controversy
This appointment has immediately sparked debate among Nigerian football followers. Beida is not an unfamiliar face to the Nigerian team; he was part of the officiating team during the 2023 AFCON final in Abidjan, where Nigeria suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Ivory Coast. His performance in that match was heavily scrutinized, with many fans blaming questionable decisions for the Super Eagles' loss.
The 33-year-old official's resume extends beyond the African continent. He was also involved in the officiating crew for the Paris 2024 Olympic football final between France and Spain, demonstrating CAF's confidence in his big-game experience. For the ongoing tournament, Beida served as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) during the opening match where hosts Morocco defeated Comoros 2-0.
Nigeria's Quest for a Fourth Title Begins
The Super Eagles will kick off their campaign for a fourth AFCON crown at the Complexe Sportif de Fes at 6:30 PM Nigerian time. This match marks only the second-ever meeting between Nigeria and Tanzania at the AFCON. The first encounter was 45 years ago, a match Nigeria won, with legendary defender Christian Chukwu emerging as the Player of the Tournament.
All eyes will be on coach Eric Chelle's lineup as Nigeria aims to start the tournament on a winning note. The team's preparations, however, come amid other news, including goalkeeper Maduka Okoye's red card for Udinese in a Serie A match just days before the AFCON opener.
Reactions and Calls for Calm
The announcement of Beida's appointment has triggered a wave of reactions on social media. Many Nigerian fans expressed immediate concern, recalling his role in the 2023 final defeat. One user described him as "one of the worst on the continent," while another pessimistically predicted that "Tanzania will lose the game either fairly or unfair."
However, seasoned Nigerian referee Bolaji Awoniyi has urged for calm. In an exclusive comment, Awoniyi advised the Super Eagles to focus solely on their performance. He emphasized that with the full implementation of VAR in the competition, it would be exceedingly difficult for any official to unfairly influence the outcome of a match. "Nigeria should go all the way to enjoy themselves against Tanzania," Awoniyi stated, expressing confidence in a fair contest and Nigeria's superior quality.
The stage is now set for a tense opening fixture for the three-time champions. While the referee appointment has added an extra layer of narrative, the Super Eagles will be determined to let their football do the talking and secure three crucial points in their quest for African glory.
