We continue with 2025 AFCON assignments, Group Stage, Matchday 3 games.
Group Stage - Matchday 3
Group B
17:00 CET - Marrakech (Stade de Marrakech)
ZIMBABWE - SOUTH AFRICA
Referee: Mustapha Kechchaf MAR
Assistant Referee 1: Styven Danek Moutsassi Moyo CGO
Assistant Referee 2: Chany Yanes Malondi CGO
Fourth Official: Jalal Jayed MAR
Video Assistant Referee: Hamza El Fariq MAR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Zakaria Brinsi MAR
CAF Referee Assessor: Yahya Hadqa MAR
Group B
17:00 CET - Agadir (Stade Adrar)
ANGOLA - EGYPT
Referee: Clément Franklin Kpan CIV
Assistant Referee 1: Dimbiniaina Andriatianarivelo MAD
Assistant Referee 2: Johnathan Ahonto Koffi TOG
Fourth Official: Boubou Traoré MLI
Video Assistant Referee: Pierre Ghislain Atcho GAB
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Sadou Ali Brahamou NIG
CAF Referee Assessor: Ali Mulumba Tomusange UGA
Group A
20:00 CET - Casablanca (Stade Mohammed V)
COMOROS - MALI
Referee: Alhadji Allaou Mahamat CHA
Assistant Referee 1: Elvis Guy Noupue Nguegoue CMR
Assistant Referee 2: Amos Abeigne Ndong GAB
Fourth Official: Pacifique Ndabihawenimana BDI
Video Assistant Referee: Mahmoud Mohamed Ashour Hassan EGY
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Abdulrazg Ahmed LBY
CAF Referee Assessor: Sinko Zeli CIV
Group A
20:00 CET - Rabat (Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah)
ZAMBIA - MOROCCO
Referee: Issa Sy SEN
Assistant Referee 1: Djibril Camara SEN
Assistant Referee 2: Nouha Bangoura SEN
Fourth Official: Tanguy Patrice Mebiame GAB
Video Assistant Referee: Abongile Tom RSA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea GHA
CAF Referee Assessor: René Daniel Louzaya CGO
Tuesday 30 December 2025
Group C
17:00 CET - Rabat (Stade Olympique de Rabat)
TANZANIA - TUNISIA
Video Assistant Referee: Letticia Antonella Viana SWZ
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Carine Atezambong Fomo CMR
CAF Referee Assessor: Fatou Gaye SEN
Group C
17:00 CET - Rabat (Stade Olympique de Rabat)
TANZANIA - TUNISIA
Referee: Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo COD
Assistant Referee 1: Guylain Ngila Bongele COD
Assistant Referee 2: Gradel Mbilizi Mwanya COD
Fourth Official: Abdou Abdel Mefire CMRVideo Assistant Referee: Letticia Antonella Viana SWZ
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Carine Atezambong Fomo CMR
CAF Referee Assessor: Fatou Gaye SEN
Group C
17:00 CET - Fes (Complexe sportif de Fès)
UGANDA - NIGERIA
Referee: Djindo Louis Houngnandande BEN
Assistant Referee 1: Aymar Ulrich Eric Ayimavo BEN
Assistant Referee 2: Mohammed Abdallah Ibrahim SDN
Fourth Official: Abdelaziz Bouh MTN
Video Assistant Referee: Lahlou Benbraham ALG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Abdalaziz Yasir Ahmed Abdalaziz SDN
CAF Referee Assessor: Lidya Tafesse Abebe ETH
17:00 CET - Fes (Complexe sportif de Fès)
UGANDA - NIGERIA
Referee: Djindo Louis Houngnandande BEN
Assistant Referee 1: Aymar Ulrich Eric Ayimavo BEN
Assistant Referee 2: Mohammed Abdallah Ibrahim SDN
Fourth Official: Abdelaziz Bouh MTN
Video Assistant Referee: Lahlou Benbraham ALG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Abdalaziz Yasir Ahmed Abdalaziz SDN
CAF Referee Assessor: Lidya Tafesse Abebe ETH
Group D
20:00 CET - Tanger (Grand Stade de Tanger)
BENIN - SENEGAL
Referee: Samuel Uwikunda RWA
Video Assistant Referee: Abongile Tom RSA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Brighton Chimene ZIM
CAF Referee Assessor: Djamel Haimoudi ALG
20:00 CET - Tanger (Grand Stade de Tanger)
BENIN - SENEGAL
Referee: Samuel Uwikunda RWA
Assistant Referee 1: Gilbert Kipkoech Cheruiyot KEN
Assistant Referee 2: Stephen Eleazar Onyango Yiembe KEN
Fourth Official: Peter Waweru Kamaku KENVideo Assistant Referee: Abongile Tom RSA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Brighton Chimene ZIM
CAF Referee Assessor: Djamel Haimoudi ALG
Group D
20:00 CET - Rabat (Al Medina Stadium)
BOTSWANA - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Fourth Official: Omar Abdulkadir Artan SOM
Video Assistant Referee: Maria Packuita Cynquela Rivet MRI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Dickens Mimisa Nyagrowa KEN
CAF Referee Assessor: Inácio Manuel Cândido ANG
20:00 CET - Rabat (Al Medina Stadium)
BOTSWANA - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Referee: Ahmad Imtehaz Heeralall MRI
Assistant Referee 1: Arsénio Chadreque Maringule MOZ
Assistant Referee 2: Ivanildo Meirelles de Oliveira Sanches ANGFourth Official: Omar Abdulkadir Artan SOM
Video Assistant Referee: Maria Packuita Cynquela Rivet MRI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Dickens Mimisa Nyagrowa KEN
CAF Referee Assessor: Inácio Manuel Cândido ANG
Wednesday 31 December 2025
Group E
17:00 CET - Rabat (Stade Prince Moulay Hassan)
EQUATORIAL GUINEA - ALGERIA
Video Assistant Referee: Pierre Ghislain Atcho GAB
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Babacar Sarr MTN
CAF Referee Assessor: Evarist Menkouande CMR
Group E
17:00 CET - Rabat (Stade Prince Moulay Hassan)
EQUATORIAL GUINEA - ALGERIA
Referee: Pacifique Ndabihawenimana BDI
Assistant Referee 1: Modibo Samake MLI
Assistant Referee 2: Diana Chikotesha ZAM
Fourth Official: Tanguy Patrice Mebiame GABVideo Assistant Referee: Pierre Ghislain Atcho GAB
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Babacar Sarr MTN
CAF Referee Assessor: Evarist Menkouande CMR
Group E
17:00 CET - Casablanca (Stade Mohamed V)
SUDAN - BURKINA FASO
Video Assistant Referee: Mahmoud Mohamed Ashour Hasan EGY
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Haggag Hussam Azab Ibrahim EGY
CAF Referee Assessor: Sinko Zeli CIV
17:00 CET - Casablanca (Stade Mohamed V)
SUDAN - BURKINA FASO
Referee: Amin Mohamed Omar EGY
Assistant Referee 1: Mahmoud Ahmed Abouelregal EGY
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmed Hossam Taha Ibrahim EGY
Fourth Official: Mehrez Melki TUNVideo Assistant Referee: Mahmoud Mohamed Ashour Hasan EGY
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Haggag Hussam Azab Ibrahim EGY
CAF Referee Assessor: Sinko Zeli CIV
Group F
20:00 CET - Marrakech (Stade de Marrakech)
GABON - IVORY COAST
Fourth Official: Shamirah Nabadda UGA
Video Assistant Referee: Dahane Beida MTN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Brahamou Sadou Ali NIG
CAF Referee Assessor: Yahya Hadqa MAR
20:00 CET - Marrakech (Stade de Marrakech)
GABON - IVORY COAST
Referee: Omar Abdulkadir Artan SOM
Assistant Referee 1: Liban Abdourazak Ahmed DJI
Assistant Referee 2: Abelmiro dos Reis Montenegro STP
Video Assistant Referee: Dahane Beida MTN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Brahamou Sadou Ali NIG
CAF Referee Assessor: Yahya Hadqa MAR
Group F
20:00 CET - Agadir (Stade Adrar)
MOZAMBIQUE - CAMEROON
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Abdulrazg Ahmed LBY
CAF Referee Assessor: Ali Mulumba Tomusange UGA
20:00 CET - Agadir (Stade Adrar)
MOZAMBIQUE - CAMEROON
Referee: Jalal Jayed MAR
Assistant Referee 1: Zakaria Brinsi MAR
Assistant Referee 2: Mostafa Akarkad MAR
Fourth Official: Mustapha Kechchaf MAR
Video Assistant Referee: Hamza El Fariq MAR
CAF Referee Assessor: Ali Mulumba Tomusange UGA
🇹🇿 TANZANIA – TUNISIA 🇹🇳
ReplyDeleteConfederation: CAF
Match Officials
Ref: Jean-Jacques Ngambo Ndala 🇨🇩
A1: Guylain Bongele Ngila 🇨🇩
A2: Mwanya Gradel Mbilizi 🇨🇩
4: Abdou Abdel Mefire 🇨🇲
VAR: Letticia Antonella Viana 🇸🇿
AVAR: Carine Atezambong Fomo 🇨🇲
Referee Assessor
Assessor: Fatou Gaye 🇸🇳
🇺🇬 UGANDA – NIGERIA 🇳🇬
CAF • TotalEnergies AFCON 2025
30 December 2025 – 16:00 GMT
Fès Stadium
Match Officials
Ref: Djindo Louis Houngnandande 🇧🇯
A1: Eric Ayimavo 🇧🇯
A2: Mohammed Abdallah Ibrahim 🇸🇩
4: Abdel Aziz Bouh 🇲🇷
VAR: Lahlou Benbraham 🇩🇿
AVAR: Abdalaziz Yasir Ahmed Abdalaziz 🇸🇩
Referee Assessor
Assessor: Lidya Tafesse Abebe 🇪🇹
BOTSWANA🇧🇼 - DR Congo 🇨🇩
30 DEC, 2025 19:00 GMT
AL MEDINA STADIUM
CAF•
KING
Ahmad Imtehaz HEERALALL
ASSISTANT REFEREE 1
Arsenio Chadreque MARINGULE
ASSISTANT REFEREE 2
Ivanildo Meirelles de Oliveira SANCHES
4TH OFFICIAL
Omar Abdulkadir ARTAN
VAR
• Maria Packuita Cynquela RIVET
ASSISTANT VAR 1
Dickens Mimisa NYAGROWA
REFEREE ASSESSOR
Inacio MANUEL CANDIDO
BENIN
SENEGAL
30 DEC, 2025 19:00 GMT
TANGER STADIUM
REFEREE
Samuel UWIKUNDA
ASSISTANT REFEREE 1
Gilbert Kipkoech CHERUIYOT
ASSISTANT REFEREE 2
Stephen Eleazar Onyango YIEMBE
4TH OFFICIAL
Peter WAWERU KAMAKU
VAR
Abongile TOM
ASSISTANT VAR 1
Brighton CHIMENE
REFEREE ASSESSOR
Djamel HAIMOUDI
An amazing game between Zimbabwe and South Africa, the former team had a great performance and they could have achieved more.
ReplyDeleteIn the end, all was decided by a handball call, after OFR:
https://streamain.com/en/iTEMOBoAUQS6rvx/watch
Extremely clear when you see replay, but surely you can get confused with a header live.
Over-the-knee socks, only one knew how to wear them—an absolute legend from days gone by. My God.
ReplyDeleteLe seule qui save utilise les chaussettes montantes , Mr Nestor PITANA
DeleteExactly, one of the greatest referees of all time. I hope someone tells Sy to bring them down below the knee.
DeleteWhy should Sy do it? Pitana was not the first and will not be the last to use them like this :)
DeleteI enjoy making predictions and taking a bit of a gamble, even just for fun. Here's my guess: I think the finalists will be Amin Mohamed Omar from Egypt or Dahane Beida from Mauritania, with the final being Morocco - Ivory Coast.
ReplyDeleteMaybe at least in the last minutes, Comoros - Mali turned into a very big game (crucial for qualification), while Morocco had an easy win without any discussion against Zambia and almost no issues for Issa Sy.
ReplyDeleteHere a very crucial call in the former game, officiated by Alhadji Allaou Mahamat from Chad.
Called to OFR for a SFP.
https://streamain.com/en/sraMq2SbD8QBK4U/watch
To me, a wrong intervention by Egyptian VAR.
You can give YC but never RC.
OK, how Malian player enters in the path of opponent is dangerous, but no more than reckless action, as you could even argue that Malian player is kicked by opponent, taking this risk and not the contrary.
Still, one can try to understand why VAR called: just for the point of contact...
Absolutely wrong OFR for me as well. Mahamat should've followed Laryea's example from yesterday ago and opted for just a yellow.
DeleteOT: Does someone have information when should UEFA RAP 2025:2 were published, or if was been somewhere published yet?
ReplyDeletePenalty to Tunisia after VAR intervention:
ReplyDeletehttps://streamin.me/v/497f6cc3
I think it is safe to say that as there isn't a clear holding action (like an excessive shirt pull), this would not have triggered an OFR in UEFA competition 😀. Letticia Viana from Eswatini (Swaziland) is the VAR. I would say another rather inauspicious performance in managing the game by Ndala, the lack of alertness to the rather blatant unsporting behaviour before the penalty execution a good case in point, and the Tanzania coach should have been dismissed for confronting the referees on the FoP after the halftime whistle.
Never a clear and obvious mistake, and once again too long proceduere. This isn't how VAR should be used, I think it's now easy to say the management of VAR at this tournament is not at the previous AFCON level, for sure, it was hard to repeat but some OFRs we saw were definitely wrong. Add to this one, the red card from yesterday's game and the first OFR called by Beida in the early days. Still, not a vey poor situation because there were mostly correct and appropriate calls, but the mistakes committted were important ones.
DeleteCompletely disagree Mickael. Clear and obvious foul with dangerous pulling on neck and IMO good intervention by VAR Viana. Good teamwork here and look at the defensor booked for the offense made us clearly known that he knew here and look was guilty…
DeleteMe too ! It wasn't just a simple hold like many others seen during corner kicks; this was a clear case where an arm wrapped around the opponent's neck, pushing him to the ground with force. In my opinion, it was even visible from the field. If it wasn't seen live on the pitch, the VAR should have taken action. Such a penalty in the box couldn't go unpunished.
DeleteFrom the second half.
Delete- A rare moment of 'munity' on the FoP (57'):
https://streamin.me/v/8992cc32
- And then a potential SYC to the same player (65')
https://streamin.me/v/68f0d4c1
What Mejbri did in the 57' sequence was actually unfair, because Ndala's call was completely justified (off-the-ball SPA holding). Everything mostly calmed down in the second half, on account of Tanzania's early equaliser which made a score that suited both parties. Overall, after the opening game, another passing performance by the DRC official but again -- for what my view is worth -- I was far from convinced by his refereeing.
@Penalty/OFR: I worded my comment carefully, and I don't think it is controversial to say that this OFR would be unimaginable in a match VAR-ed by one of the top group VMOs in UEFA who control the leading games in the Champions League. I'm not really in favour of the 'drop zone' guideline, because if an offence is blatant it should be punished regardless (cf Asensio-Letexier-ArsenalQF), but at a certain point you have to ask if the Tunisian attacker realised he wasn't going to get to the ball and went down opportunistically holding his face. The overall standard of VAR-ing in this tournament has been very poor.
OFR for handball in Botswana - DR Congo, and this is a very correct one. Clear touch with raised arm, should have been spotted live by the officials. Not a good tournament for the referee from Mauritius, but he got, differently from others so far, two games.
ReplyDeleteVery long VAR check before an OFR in Benin - Senegal.
ReplyDeleteAbongile Tom invited the referee from Rwanda to rewatch a possible SFP. A stepping on heel from behind, it was quick and maybe not very stamped, you can accept red card, but once again, how long before taking a decision both by VAR before and referee at monitor.
A game of incredibly high difficulty for Samuel Uwikunda! With a calm and UEFA-like style, the referee from Rwandan handled the match in a generally quite-to-very good manner. He faced four key calls: 7' no penalty given, 38' goal awarded (both after a very long period of checking by Var Abongile Tom); 66' correct RC to Koulibaly of Senegal after a very good intervention but this time long period of checking by Uwikunda at the OFR; and finally, at +94' the referee justifiably awarded Senegal a penalty for a foul. Given his relative lack of experience (I know he was at the last AFCON but he is behind at least 10-15 names in CAF), I would judge this performance as a very positive resume for the Rwandan ref, despite some areas for improvement.
DeleteI would like to do a full clips review for readers soon!
OT: Unbelievable goal confirmed in Arsenal - Aston Villa. Clear foul on GK.
ReplyDeleteThose types of goal's are pretty much always allowed in the Premier League.... the most extreme example was probably a Luton goal against Burnley two seasons ago... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfFllFfss9A&t=154s
DeleteDarren England, what a awful ref
ReplyDeleteSudan-BurkinaFaso: Amin
ReplyDeleteEq.Guinea-Algeria: Pacifique
Gabon-Iv.Coast: Artan
Mozambique-Cameroon: Jayed
All my attention is on the Egyptian referee. Let's see if he's ready for the final.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that the Egyptian ref is demonstrating a good command of the situation, showing severity and determination. The decision to award the yellow card is correct, as is the penalty, which appears well supported by the images. The goalkeeper touching the attacker in an attempt to stop him is a clear and decisive intervention.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to note that, despite lacking explosiveness and dynamism, Amin is still able to be present at the decisive moment, highlighting good tactical intelligence. We await the second half to see how the match will develop.
Do you know who designates the referees for the Moroccan tournament? What is his nationality?
DeleteVictor Gomes South African
DeleteThis should be the list of new UEFA assistant referees for 2026.
ReplyDeleteUnless some mistakes I made...
ALBANIA
Mario Shazivari
Jena Mala
ANDORRA
Eric José Machado Gomes
ARMENIA
Arman Hakobjanyan
Narek Poghosyan
AZERBAIJIAN
Əzizli Asiman
Jamil Guliyev
BELGIUM
Michael Geerolf
BELARUS
Maksim Arabei
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Laura Dugandžić
Nevena Markovic
BULGARIA
Darin Ivanov
CYPRUS
Georgios Kontemeniotis
CROATIA
Gabriela Gačić
Dario Kolarević
Ivan Starčević
CZECH REPUBLIC
Petr Kotalík
Marek Malimánek
Jan Váňa
David Zoufalý
DENMARK
Troels Christensen
Daniel Cortzen
Esad Deronjić
ESTONIA
Thor Vaas
FINLAND
Ann-Sofie Träskman
FRANCE
Siham Meriem Boudina
ENGLAND
Leoni Harland
Wade Smith
HUNGARY
Bence Péter Belicza
Laura Emerencia Szabó
ICELAND
Guðmundur Ingi Bjarnason
Rúna Stefánsdóttir
ITALY
Khaled Bahri
Laura Gasparini
LITHUANIA
Simas Kartočius
Edvardas Korotkovas
Roberta Skrockienė
Rusnė Vasarytė
LUXEMBOURG
Johnny Santos Leite
NORTH MACEDONIA
Aleksandar Gjurkovski
Filip Ickovski
Vladimir Mitrevski
Darko Vidinikj
MALTA
David Castillo
Kurt Owen Saliba
NETHERLANDS
Murat Küçükerbir
Isabelle van Gilst
NORTHERN IRELAND
Brian Wilson
NORWAY
Erland Hareland
Aleksander Jæger
POLAND
Angelika Nowak
PORTUGAL
Lisandra Taisa Reginaldo Tavares
Sara Maria da Silva Cunha
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Shane O'Brien
ROMANIA
Ioan Alexandru Corb
Ilinca Mazga
Ana Luciana Puscasu
Adrian Vornicu
RUSSIA
Dmitriy Ermakov
SCOTLAND
Hannah McLean
Victoria Reilly
SERBIA
Nikola Antić
SLOVAKIA
Ákos Juhos
Viktória Rugolská
Martinа Ukropová
SLOVENIA
Karin Florjančič
Mediha Šašivarević
Kaja Škrban
SPAIN
Nahia Alonso Fernández
SWEDEN
Sebastian Robertsson
TÜRKIYE
Murat Altan
UKRAINE
Nazariy Tsmokanych
And this should be the list of new (male) referees in other confederations:
DeleteCAF:
Gaolaolwe Kethobogile (BOT)
Edson Esoko (ANG)
Edilson Gomes (ANG)
Hedgard Juste Biel Kolondo (CMR)
Hyacinthe Emeyene (CMR)
Martin Arnold Ze Mengatta (CMR)
Ben Ali Touré (CIV)
Mohamed Altabey Elghazi (EGY)
Mahmoud Wafa (EGY)
Henok Abebe (ETH)
Haymanot Adane (ETH)
Isaac Hamisi (KEN)
Edwin Ouma Mangoli (KEN)
Adama Koné (MLI)
Lassana Tounkara (MLI)
Achraf Berrada (MAR)
Naoufal Nachite (MAR)
Thierno Dia (SEN)
Aboubacry Ndiaye (SEN)
Hery Andrianaivoarison (MAD)
Sanele Cedric Ntimane (SWZ)
Salomon Kabila Kiniatu (COD)
Lambert Museka Padibualu (COD)
Juanilson Moreira Dos Reis Borges Gomes (CPV)
Donatien Koffitse Yena (TOG)
Omer Suliman Yahia (SDN)
Mohamed Bock Tarawally (SLE)
Bassem Belaid (TUN)
Abdellaoui Fredj (TUN)
Khaled Gouider (TUN)
Haithem Trabelsi (TUN)
Adoum Abdramane (CHA)
Garinja Barbosa Lopes (GNB)
AFC:
Mohammad Huda (BAN)
Wai Lung Mario Cheung (HKG)
Rachana Kamani (IND)
Ashwin Kumar (IND)
Ali Mohammad (KUW)
Phimpha Vannasak (LAO)
Ahmad Al-Kawaldeh (JOR)
Mohammed Al-Mazyed (QAT)
Thura Zaw (MYA)
Wael Haidar (LBN)
Alongkorn Khonwai (THA)
Suhail Al-Mulla (UAE)
Khanh Nam Do (VIE)
Marwan Awwad (SYR)
Ismaeel Muhammad Fazar (PAK)
Nariman Garajayev (TKM)
Choi Cheol-jun (KOR)
Mohamad Nawal Mohammad Zubir (MAS)
John Mike Basinang (PHI)
Timothy Danaskos (AUS)
Alimardon Bainazarov (KGZ)
CONCACAF:
Richard Martín Tejada Pinzón (PAN)
Eric Guía de la Cruz (CUB)
Roger Alexander Meléndez Suárez (NCA)
Olivier Alexandre (HAI)
Wilkerson Bonnet (HAI)
Michael Venne (CAN)
César Eduardo Nolasco Quintanilla (SLV)
Rosendo Mendoza (USA)
Renlee Napoleon (LCA)
Alexi Perry (JAM)
CONMEBOL:
Oswaldo Joel Contreras Macías (ECU)
Jairo Alejandro Mayorga Londoño (COL)
Franco Jiménez Lazo (CHI)
Mathias Riquelme Sepúlveda (CHI)
Carlos Manuel Parra Guargati (VEN)
Reyes Luis Soto Aular (VEN)
OFC:
Timothy Niu (SOL)
Arnold Tari (VAN)