The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially released the list of 70 match officials appointed for the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN 2025), set to be held from August 2 to 30 in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The roster comprises 26 referees, 26 assistant referees, and 18 Video Match Officials (VMOs) drawn from over 30 CAF member associations across Africa.
However, in a notable omission, no Nigerian referees, assistant referees, or VAR officials were included in the list.
Full List of Appointed Match Officials
Referees:
1. Adissa Abdoul Raphiou Ligali (Benin)
2. Messie Jessie Oved Nouvolou (Congo)
3. Kpan Clement Franklin (Côte d’Ivoire)
4. Malala Kabanga Yannick (DR Congo)
5. Ahmed Nagy Mosa Mahmoud (Egypt)
6. Tsegay Teklu Mogos (Eritrea)
7. Jammeh Lamin N. (Gambia)
8. Nyaruwoa Dickens Mimisa (Kenya)
9. Ahmed Abdulrazag (Libya)
10. Diakhate Ousmane (Mali)
11. Milazae Patrice (Mauritius)
12. Loutfi Bekkouassa (Algeria)
13. Diouf Adalbert (Senegal)
14. Jelly Alfred Chavani (South Africa)
15. Ahmed Arjaiga (Tanzania)
16. Aklesso Gnana (Togo)
17. Melki Mehrez (Tunisia)
18. Lucky Razake Kasalirwe (Uganda)
19. Vincent Kabore (Burkina Faso)
20. Brahamou Sadou Ali (Niger)
21. Brighton Chimene (Zimbabwe)
22. Mefire Abdou Abdel (Cameroon)
23. Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco)
24. Shamirah Nabadda (Uganda)
25. Kech Chaf Mustapha (Morocco)
26. Houssam Benyahya (Algeria)
Assistant Referees:
1. Ngila Guilain Bongele (DR Congo)
2. Lucky Kegakologetse (Botswana)
3. Sanou Habib Judicael Oumar (Burkina Faso)
4. Emery Niyongabo (Burundi)
5. Rodrigue Menye Mpele (Cameroon)
6. Almadine Soulaimane (Comoros)
7. Jaoa Salim (Benin)
8. Fasika Biru Yehualashet (Ethiopia)
9. Jawo Abdul Aziz (Gambia)
10. Addy Roland Nii Dodoo (Ghana)
11. Mwangi Samuel Kuria (Kenya)
12. Joel Wonka Doe (Liberia)
13. Nassiri Hamza (Morocco)
14. Yacouba Abdoul Aziz (Niger)
15. Dieudonne Mutuyimana (Rwanda)
16. Omer Hamid Mohammed Ahmed (Sudan)
17. Wael Hanachi (Tunisia)
18. Ronald Katenya (Uganda)
19. Eleyeh Robleh (Djibouti)
20. Ettien Eba Medard (Côte d’Ivoire)
21. Abegino Ndong Amos (Gabon)
22. Sirak Samuel (Eritrea)
23. Ally Hamdani Said (Tanzania)
24. Malondi Chanyi (Congo)
25. Adel Abane (Algeria)
26. Diana Chikotesha (Zambia)
Video Match Officials (VMOs):
1. Mahmoud Ashour (Egypt)
2. Dahane Beida (Mauritania)
3. Lahlou Benbraham (Algeria)
4. Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia)
5. Samir Guezzaz (Morocco)
6. Hamza El Fariq (Morocco)
7. Issa Sy (Senegal)
8. Atcho Pierre Ghislain (Gabon)
9. Daniel Laryea (Ghana)
10. Abongile Tom (South Africa)
11. Yasir Abdallaazi (Sudan)
12. Viana Letticia (Eswatini)
13. Georges Ateme (Cameroon)
14. Omar Abdulkadir Artan (Somalia)
15. Ibrahim Kalilou Traore (Côte d’Ivoire)
16. El Hassan Ahmed (Mauritania)
17. Zohra Akharraz (Morocco)
18. Blaise Siffa (Central African Republic)
Gender Representation in Officiating
CAF’s appointments include several top female officials, signaling its growing commitment to inclusivity. Among them are Morocco’s Bouchra Karboubi, Uganda’s Shamirah Nabadda, and Zambia’s Diana Chikotesha, all of whom will officiate at the championship.
No Nigerian Referees: A Missed Opportunity
Despite being one of Africa’s most prominent footballing nations, Nigeria did not receive any representation in the officiating crew. This absence raises questions about the development pathway for Nigerian match officials and their competitiveness on the continental stage. It also mirrors a similar omission in the previous CHAN edition.
Football stakeholders in Nigeria have called for structural reforms to improve training, exposure, and CAF-level accreditation of referees and assistants.
The Super Eagles B have been drawn in Group D, alongside Senegal, Sudan, and Congo. All group-stage matches will be played in Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam.
Nigeria vs Senegal
📅 August 2, 2025
📍 Amman Stadium, Zanzibar
Nigeria vs Sudan
📅 August 6, 2025
📍 Amman Stadium, Zanzibar
Nigeria vs Congo
📅 August 10, 2025
📍 Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam
Nigeria will hope to make a deep run in the competition despite the lack of homegrown officiating presence.
