When Nigeria travels to Point Noire next week to play a must-win 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Congo, the Super Eagles are likely going to be at the mercy of controversial Egyptian centre referee, Ghead Zaglol Grisha.

It was Grisha who awarded Zambia that controversial late penalty against Nigeria at the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa that resulted in the 1-1 draw that gave hope of advancing from the group stage to the Chipolopolo. The game was just five minutes to regulation time when Grisha conjured the penalty for the Zambians.

Though Zambia crashed out at that stage even as defending champions, protests from the Nigerian camp against the Egyptian referee, were ignored by CAF. Despite claims that the Egyptian arbiter had been sent home, Grisha was to appear at other games as fourth referee later. Nigeria however went against all odds to win the trophy to become African champions for the third time.

Grisha is to be assisted in Congo by compatriots like Tahssen Abo El Sadat Bedyer (Assistant Referee 1), Ahmed Abou Elela (Assistant Referee 2) and Mahmoud Ashor (Reserve Referee) during the match in Atlantic city of Point Noire.

CAF also named Aboubakar Alim Konate from Cameroun as Match Commissioner while Moroccan Naciri Abdelali will be Security Officer.

The Africa football governing body also disclosed yesterday that the crucial game will start at 3.30pm Congo time, which will be 2.30pm in Nigeria.

Stephen Keshi’s 25 –man squad for the battle will hit start to arrive the Bolton White Apartments camp in Abuja as from Sunday.

•Credit: THISDAY. Photo shows the Super Eagles.