Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD
Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just
Try GOLD - Free
Controversy heightens tension ahead of Nigeria clash
The Mercury
|September 09, 2025
AS SOUTH Africa and Nigeria prepare for one of their most important matches in recent history, the shadow of a controversial Gabonese referee, Pierre Ghislain Atcho, looms large, adding another layer of tension to the already high-stakes affair.
Fifa has made the contentious decision to appoint Gabonese referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho to officiate the critical World Cup qualifier clash today in Bloemfontein.
Since the announcement on Sunday, Nigeria's football-mad population have been uneasy because of Atcho’s reputation.
For a country hanging on by the thinnest of threads in Group C, the choice of referee has sent ripples of concern across Africas most populous nation of 237 million people.
Atcho, a mere 3l-years old, is already well-known in football circles, particularly in West Africa, for his controversial officiating decisions.
This story is from the September 09, 2025 edition of The Mercury.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Mercury
The Mercury
SA men tell of betrayal after being 'trafficked' to Ukraine war
Desperate pleas emerge from families of the trapped recruits
3 mins
November 26, 2025
The Mercury
KZN Transport Department exposes ‘fraudulent conduct’ in construction sector
CONSTRUCTION companies are engaging in \"fraudulent conduct\" to win bigger projects for which they have neither the capacity nor the capability to implement, leading to a high failure rate.
3 mins
November 26, 2025
The Mercury
Unpacking India's history in the centuries before the partition
EBRAHIM Essa is chuffed about his satirical skills in \"Hooray for my English teacher who taught me satire\" (The Mercury November 24, 2025), flaunted earlier in \"The invasion of Palestine in SA\" (The Mercury November 19, 2025).
1 min
November 26, 2025
The Mercury
'Moment of madness' as Toffees shock United
EVERTON survived an astonishing moment of madness at Old Trafford on Monday when Idrissa Gueye was sent off for slapping teammate Michael Keane to beat Manchester United 1-0.
2 mins
November 26, 2025
The Mercury
Booze ban 'eased for select foreigners'
DIPLOMATS and premium visa-holders in Saudi Arabia said that the conservative kingdom has quietly eased restrictions on purchasing alcohol for select foreign residents.
2 mins
November 26, 2025
The Mercury
Hattrick for SA as it stands up to the bully
I DON'T know about others, but there have been three incidents that have made me personally proud of being born and brought up in this country.
1 mins
November 26, 2025
The Mercury
Ukraine peace talks still on
PHEW! It seems we can breathe easy.
2 mins
November 26, 2025
The Mercury
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla must face Ethics Committee over trafficking allegations
THE Democratic Alliance is calling for urgent action from Parliament and law enforcement after new and very disturbing information came to light about how 17 young South African men were lured into travelling to Russia and then forced into the Ukraine war.
2 mins
November 26, 2025
The Mercury
Government hauled to court for failing to act against South Africans fighting for Israel in Gaza
ALLEGATIONS that South African soldiers are unlawfully serving in the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in the armed conflict in the Gaza Strip are due to come under the juristic spotlight in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria.
2 mins
November 26, 2025
The Mercury
Motaung jr backing Broos amid Kaizer Chiefs selection debate
KAIZER Chiefs sporting director Kaizer Motaung jr has stepped forward to support Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos, amid growing noise around the perceived lack of Amakhosi representation in national team squads this year.
2 mins
November 26, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size