FIFA| Nigerian referee Abiola Kasimu Abdulsalam

FIFA on Thursday named Zamfara-born Nigerian referee Abiola Kasimu Abdulsalam among the match officials for this year’s U-17 World Cup tournament in Qatar, ending Nigeria’s 25-year wait for a centre referee.

The 34-year-old is the only Nigerian centre referee on FIFA’s list and one of four referees selected from Africa for the competition.

In a post obtained from FIFA’s website on Thursday, FIFA named 81 officials for the tournament, comprising 27 referees and 54 assistant referees from 36 member associations.

Abdulsalam’s selection marks the first time in 25 years that a Nigerian centre referee will officiate at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Abdulsalam has built considerable international experience, having participated in two CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments as well as several WAFU competitions.

His recent performances have also earned him another major assignment, as he is scheduled to referee the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture between Cameroon and Comoros.

French soccer champion Kylian Mbappé and On Holding – a Swiss sportswear manufacturer, have signed a 10-year partnership agreement for the promotion of the brand.

On, a new entrant in the soccer market, announced recently that it will be working with Mbappé to design high-performance footwear and apparel.

The French player, who has been associated with Nike since childhood, chose not to renew his deal with the sportswear giant.

On also announced that retired player and commentator Thierry Henry would join as its new director of football and FC Barcelona player Sydney Schertenleib would help develop and test its soccer apparel.

“Of course, I had 20 amazing years with Nike, I can only say thanks to them,” Mbappé said in a joint interview alongside On’s co-CEO David Alleman, with CNBC’s Carolin Roth on Monday.

But I think, as a person, as a player, it was the time to change… and after we started to talk, and after every discussion, I was a little bit more convinced about the fact that I have to be part of the family, I have to be part of the project, to be part of the journey with On and the football,” he added.“You need to feel at one with your shoes,” Mbappé continued in the CNBC interview. “As a player, you need to feel a special connection with your boot, with the ball, with the pitch, with the evolution of the game. Now you play 60 games in a season. You train every day. The intensity is high. You need to feel comfortable in your shoes.”

• Augustine “Cerezo” Eguavoen

Former Super Eagles head coach Augustine “Cerezo” Eguavoen has been appointed to lead Nigeria’s Super Falcons on a temporary basis as the search for a permanent manager continues.

His immediate assignment is navigating the 2028 Olympic Games second-round qualifying tie against Comoros this October.

The Vanguard reported that Eguavoen ‘s immediate assignment is navigating the 2028 Olympic Games second-round qualifying tie against Comoros this October.

Eguavoen brings top-tier experience to the role, having previously guided the Super Eagles to a bronze medal at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The interim technical crew is Nasarawa Amazons head coach Christopher Danjuma, who recently led the Falconets at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Former Super Falcons defender Ayisat Yusuf—who earned 68 caps and featured at the 2008 Beijing Olympics—also joins as an assistant coach, alongside veteran goalkeeper trainer Olatunji Baruwa.

The 10-time African champions will kick off their campaign against Comoros, who advanced after a staggering 30-0 aggregate win over Sudan.

Both legs of the fixture will take place at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on October 9 and 13, 2026.