Rwanda vs Nigeria: Moroccan referee Jayed Jalal to take charge of Super Eagles World Cup qualifier

The World Cup qualifier match between Nigeria and Rwanda is scheduled for Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.

It is not just another fixture in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign for Africa as it is a defining moment for both nations.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are aiming to salvage their faltering campaign, against the Amavubi of Rwanda, who are on the cusp of rewriting their history with just one ticket for the group winner.

According to team captain William Ekong, the Super Eagles of Nigeria are focused on the three points at stake and are not deterred by the fact that they have lost to Rwanda in their previous two encounters.

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Jalal Jayed, a Moroccan referee who turns 38 two days after the game, has been nominated by FIFA, the world football governing body, to officiate the match, which is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Rwanda time (5 p.m. Nigeria time).

On March 22, 2024, Jayed oversaw a friendly match between the Super Eagles and Ghana's Black Stars in Marrakech, which Nigeria won 2-1.

Jalal's compatriots Mostapha Akarkad and Hamza Nassiri, who will be the first and second assistant referees, respectively, will accompany him to Kigali.

Franco-Malian tactician Éric Sékou Chelle held his first training session and is set to take charge of his first game.