Nigerian referee Joseph Odey Ogabor has been appointed to officiate the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Equatorial Guinea.

Ogabor will take charge of the Group L encounter scheduled for September 24 as both nations begin their campaigns in the race for a place at the 2027 AFCON.

The appointment represents another international assignment for the Nigerian official, who will be responsible for overseeing the match and ensuring that proceedings are conducted in accordance with the laws of the game.

The DR Congo–Equatorial Guinea fixture is one of the opening matches in the AFCON 2027 qualifying series.

The appointment of Ogabor also adds a Nigerian presence to the continental qualifying programme, even as the Super Eagles prepare for their own opening fixture against Madagascar.

Nigeria will host the Barea of Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on September 25 in their opening Group L qualifier.

Ogabor’s assignment in the DR Congo–Equatorial Guinea encounter comes a day before Nigeria’s own campaign gets underway, putting the Nigerian official among the match officials entrusted with overseeing the opening round of the continental qualifiers.