Ojeleye brings Nigeria whistle to Morocco as CAF opens door to bigger futsal stage

Nigerian FIFA referee John Tope Ojeleye will depart for Morocco today after being selected for the Confederation of African Football futsal tournament pre-course, marking another significant step in his growing career as an international referee.

Ojeleye is one of only two Nigerian referees named among 30 officials from across Africa to the programme, with fellow Nigerian Bello Al Hassan Zuru also making the list.

The invitation continues an impressive rise for Ojeleye, who only received his first FIFA badge in 2025 after being elevated to the international roster as a futsal referee. He was among three Nigerian referees granted FIFA status for the first time that year.

His progress didn’t stop with the badge.

Ojeleye subsequently received international assignments in the CAF Futsal Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series, including refereeing duties during Cape Verde’s match against Senegal in Praia, giving him valuable experience outside Nigeria.

His performances and development earned him another place on Nigeria’s list of FIFA international referees for 2026, keeping him among the country’s recognized futsal officials.

Morocco’s invitation now offers another opportunity for Ojeleye to work alongside some of Africa’s leading futsal referees and CAF instructors in an environment designed to prepare officials for the demands of elite continental competition.

Ojeleye has also remained active in mainstream football at home. He was recently appointed to referee the Nigerian Premier Football League match between Niger Tornadoes and Kun Khalifat, highlighting his continued involvement in domestic football alongside his growing futsal career.

His contribution to grassroots football was also recently recognized with a Special Recognition Award at the Holiday Gold Cup.

For Nigerian refereeing, Ojeleye’s latest continental opportunity represents another encouraging development at a time when producing referees capable of winning major assignments in the CAF remains an important objective.

And for Ojeleye personally, Morocco represents another rung on the ladder.

From earning the FIFA badge to handling continental assignments and now joining the selected African futsal referees in Morocco, Ojeleye’s whistle travels further, and the Nigerian flag will go with it.