Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been appointed to referee the Group-stage encounter between Mali and Zambia at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with the Confederation of African Football confirming the officiating team for the opening round fixture.
The match, scheduled for Monday, December 22 at 2:00 p.m. GMT, will mark the first appearance of both teams in the group phase and carries early significance as they seek to set the tone for their respective campaigns.
CAF’s decision places responsibility for the contest in the hands of one of the continent’s most highly regarded officials, reflecting the importance attached to a fixture expected to be keenly contested.
Artan, who hails from Somalia, has been named as the centre referee for the game.
His selection follows his recent recognition as African Referee of the Year, an honour that underlines his standing within continental officiating circles.
Over recent seasons, he has built a reputation for authority and composure, earning regular appointments in major international competitions across Africa.
CAF’s announcement highlights the governing body’s continued emphasis on experience and consistency in the early stages of the tournament.
Group matches, particularly on the opening day, are often closely scrutinised, with teams eager to avoid costly mistakes.
By appointing an official of Artan’s profile, CAF aims to ensure the game is managed with clarity and control from the outset.
Alongside the on-field officiating, CAF has also confirmed the officials responsible for video technology during the match.
Algerian referee Lahlou Benbraham has been assigned to oversee the Video Assistant Referee system, a role that carries increasing weight as VAR continues to play a decisive part in modern tournaments.
The choice of Benbraham reflects CAF’s confidence in Algerian referees when it comes to the application of VAR, a tool now firmly embedded in top-level African competitions.
His task will be to support the on-field referee by reviewing key incidents and providing guidance when necessary, ensuring that crucial decisions are made with the benefit of additional scrutiny.
The coordination between the match referee and the VAR team will be particularly important in a fixture where margins are expected to be fine.
Both Mali and Zambia arrive at the tournament with ambitions of progressing deep into the competition, making discipline and decision-making central to the flow of the game.
CAF’s formal confirmation of the officiating appointments forms part of the final preparations ahead of the tournament’s opening phase.
With kick-off approaching, attention is gradually shifting from squad selections and training camps to the finer details that can influence results on the pitch.
As Mali and Zambia prepare to begin their Africa Cup of Nations journeys, the presence of an experienced refereeing team is intended to provide a stable framework for a match that could prove pivotal in shaping the early direction of their group.
For Artan and his colleagues, the fixture represents another high-profile assignment on the continent’s biggest stage.
