The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has made a significant late change to the officiating team for one of the most anticipated matches of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Senegalese referee Issa Sy will now take charge of the quarterfinal clash between Nigeria's Super Eagles and the Desert Foxes of Algeria.
Why CAF Dropped the Original Referee
The appointment comes as a direct replacement for Somali official Omar Artan, who was initially slated to referee the match. Artan, who was named Africa's best referee earlier in the year, was removed from the fixture following a reported breach of CAF's strict sponsorship regulations.
The issue centered on the boots he wore during a previous match in the tournament, which were not approved by the competition's official sponsors. While his on-field performance was not under scrutiny, CAF viewed the violation as serious enough to warrant his removal. With the knockout stages under intense global scrutiny, the governing body acted swiftly to avoid any further controversy.
Profile of the New Man in Charge: Issa Sy
Issa Sy is not a newcomer to the AFCON 2025 environment. The Senegalese official has already been involved in the tournament, serving as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) during Morocco's Round of 16 victory over Tanzania.
CAF's decision to promote him to the center referee role for such a high-profile game is seen as a move to bring stability and experience. The federation hopes his familiarity with the teams, the competition atmosphere, and the VAR protocol will ensure the focus remains on the football rather than officiating debates.
A Clash of Titans in Marrakech
The match itself, scheduled for the Grand Stade de Marrakech, pits two of the tournament's most impressive teams against each other. Both Nigeria and Algeria are yet to lose a match in Morocco.
Algeria has built its campaign on a rock-solid defense, conceding only one goal in four matches. Their resilience, marshaled by goalkeeper Luca Zidane, has frustrated every opponent they have faced.
Nigeria, in stark contrast, boasts the tournament's most fearsome attack. The Super Eagles have blasted a competition-high 12 goals, with stars like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman in devastating form. Their 4-0 demolition of Mozambique in the Round of 16 sent a clear message of their title ambitions.
The winner of this epic quarterfinal will advance to face host nation Morocco, who secured their semi-final spot with a 2-0 win over Cameroon.
Algerian Federation Files Petition
In a related development, the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has submitted a petition to CAF regarding the ticketing arrangements for the match. FAF president Walid Sadi confirmed the action was taken after ticket sales for the encounter were reportedly closed, raising concerns about access for Algerian supporters.
All eyes will now be on Issa Sy and the 22 players on the pitch as Nigeria and Algeria battle for a place in the AFCON 2025 semi-finals.
