By Judith Nwabia
Congo Brazzaville’s Soumou Flavien Serge will be the officiating referee at the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations qualifying match between Nigeria and Niger Republic on Saturday at the National Stadium, Abuja.
Serge will be assisted by compatriots Bantaba Sabhas Gislain (first assistant), Diawa Triton Franck Audiard (second assistant) and Nkounkou Mvoutou Messie Oved (reserve referee).
The match commissioner is Fred Crentsil, from Ghana.
Junior Menas clash with familiar foes Eaglets in the first qualifying round for the 2017 Africa U17 Cup of Nations starting from 4pm, with the return leg in Niamey in a fortnight.
Next year’s African finals will hold in Madagascar with the World Cup to be staged in India. Reigning world champions Nigeria have won the FIFA U17 World Cup on five occasions.
The Nigerien contingent landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Wednesday night, and trained on Thursday evening.