In a dramatic twist ahead of the AFCON 2025 quarter-final between Nigeria and Algeria, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has withdrawn the originally appointed referee.
Somali official Omar Abdulkadir Artan was removed due to a breach of tournament regulations. The decision comes shortly before one of the tournament’s most anticipated matches, scheduled to take place in Marrakech, Morocco.
CAF initially appointed Omar Abdulkadir Artan to referee the Nigeria vs Algeria clash. It is one of the standout fixtures of the AFCON 2025 knockout stages. Artan has been a FIFA-accredited referee since 2018 and has overseen key matches in African football. He has earned recognition within the continent’s refereeing ranks.
The main reason behind Artan’s removal was a breach of CAF’s commercial regulations. Reports indicate that the referee wore football boots from a brand that was not included among the tournament’s approved sponsors. This violated the strict sponsorship agreements in place for AFCON 2025 officials.
While CAF raised no concerns about Artan’s officiating standards or match performances, the governing body chose to act firmly. They aimed to uphold its commercial regulations ahead of the knockout-stage fixture.
Although CAF has not released an official statement, reports suggest Senegalese referee Issa Sy will replace Artan for the quarter-final. Sy brings significant experience at continental level and has officiated several major African fixtures. The switch underlines CAF’s zero-tolerance approach to rule breaches, even during the latter stages of the tournament.
Nigeria and Algeria head into the quarter-final in strong form. Both sides are eyeing a place in the AFCON 2025 semi-finals. While the referee change has added an unexpected twist, both teams will prioritise performance and discipline on the pitch.
As kickoff approaches, attention will remain on the football. CAF is hoping the late decision ensures a smooth and controversy-free contest in Marrakech.
