Senegalese referee Issa Sy has been appointed to take charge of the Africa Cup of Nations group-stage match between Egypt and Zimbabwe, with the Confederation of African Football confirming the officiating decision ahead of the tournament’s opening round.
The fixture, scheduled for Monday, December 22 at 8:00 PM GMT, will mark the beginning of Egypt’s campaign at the 2025 finals.
As seven-time champions, the North African side enter the competition with significant expectations, and their opening match is viewed as a key moment in setting the tone for the group stage.
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will be aiming to make an immediate impression against one of the continent’s most decorated teams.
For Egypt, the encounter represents an early opportunity to establish momentum.
A positive result on the first matchday is widely regarded as crucial in a tournament as competitive as the Africa Cup of Nations, where small margins often determine progression.
Head coach Hossam Hassan’s side will be seeking a confident start to build belief and stability ahead of their remaining group fixtures.
CAF’s decision to entrust the match to Issa Sy reflects the importance attached to the occasion.
The Senegalese official is a familiar figure on the African refereeing scene, having overseen numerous high-profile encounters at both national team and club level.
His experience across continental competitions has earned him a reputation as a steady and authoritative presence on the pitch.
Sy has previously officiated matches at the Africa Cup of Nations, as well as key interclub fixtures, placing him among the most seasoned referees currently active under CAF’s jurisdiction.
His appointment is intended to ensure the game is managed with consistency and control, particularly in a contest where intensity and pressure are expected to be high.
Beyond his AFCON experience, Issa Sy’s credentials were further underlined earlier this year when he was selected as one of five African central referees for the Club World Cup, held in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025.
He was chosen alongside Dahane Beida of Mauritania, Mustapha Ghorbal of Algeria, Mutaz Ibrahimi of Libya and Jean Jacques Ndala of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a selection that highlighted the confidence placed in African officials on the global stage.
The Egypt–Zimbabwe match forms part of a closely watched opening day programme, with supporters and analysts alike eager to see how established powers and emerging sides approach the early stages of the tournament.
For Egypt, a strong start would help ease pressure and reinforce their ambitions, while Zimbabwe will view the fixture as an opportunity to challenge expectations and test themselves against elite opposition.
As the countdown to kick-off continues, attention is turning not only to team selections and tactics, but also to the officials tasked with overseeing the action.
With Issa Sy in charge, CAF will hope the contest unfolds smoothly, allowing the focus to remain firmly on the football as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations gets under way.
