BREAKING: Meet Jalal Jayed To Officiate Super Eagles Of Nigeria Vs DR Congo World Cup Playoff Final
Moroccan referee, Jalal Jayed, has been appointed to take charge of Sunday’s high-stakes 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff final between Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Jayed is not new to the Super Eagles. He handled their Matchday Five meeting with Rwanda in March, a game Nigeria won 2-0 in Kigali, thanks to a brace from Victor Osimhen.
His compatriots, Mustapha Akarkad and Zakaria Bernissi, will run the lines, while Tunisia’s Mahrez El Malki will serve as the fourth official. VAR duties will be overseen by Lahlou Benbraham of Algeria and Tunisian official Haitham Guirat.
Away from the match officials, The Genius Media Nigeria reports that the Super Eagles received a major lift after Wilfred Ndidi was cleared to feature in the final.
The midfielder had been ruled out initially due to suspension following a second yellow card in the win over Gabon, but the Confederation of African Football has now confirmed he is free to play.
Captain William Troost-Ekong welcomed the update and said the squad is relieved.
“We are happy that Wilfred can play tomorrow, the clarification is out now, no issues. We also understand what it means for any player on a yellow card to miss a game. It’s good to know that he is available for the game,” Troost-Ekong told the Super Eagles media.
Ndidi impressed in the 4-1 victory against Gabon, setting up the team’s third goal scored by Osimhen.
Looking ahead to the final, Troost-Ekong acknowledgedthew demandingnature of the clash with DR Conge. Nigeria reached the final by sweeping aside Gabon, while Congo stunned Cameroon 1-0 to book their ticket to Rabat.
“The boys are happy to be here, to be competing on Sunday. There is no other motivation needed. We all want to go to the World Cup. It is going to be a difficult game. Congo also did well to get to the final. We are looking forward to it,” he said.
He added that the team must be ready for whatever challenge Congo presents.
The captain said, “Every game brings a new challenge. Against Gabon it was difficult. They were dangerous on the counter-attack which we dealt with. Congo, I know one or two players in their team. I know that they are a good side. It’s going to be a different challenge entirely. I don’t think we can compare them to other teams in Africa but we have to adapt.”
The match in Rabat will determine who moves on to the intercontinental playoffs. It will kick off at 8 p.m. on Sunday, November 16.
