Senegalese referee Issa Sy will take charge of the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final between Algeria and Nigeria this Saturday at 4:00 PM GMT.
The match winner will advance to face the victor of the Cameroon-Morocco clash in the semi-finals.
Issa Sy, 41, returns to the AFCON pitch for his third appointment as the main referee in this tournament.
He previously oversaw the group stage fixtures Egypt versus Zimbabwe, which ended 2-1, and Zambia against Morocco, finishing 0-3. Sy also served as the VAR official in the round of 16 match between Morocco and Tanzania, which concluded 1-0.
This weekend, Sy will be assisted on the field by his Senegalese colleagues Djibril Camara and Nouha Bangoura.
The video assistant referee (VAR) team will feature Gabonese referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho, ensuring oversight of key decisions during the high-stakes encounter.
Tournament organisers have entrusted Sy with this pivotal quarter-final role based on his experience and performance in earlier matches.
His familiarity with the pace and intensity of AFCON games will play a crucial part in maintaining fair play and control throughout the contest.
Algeria and Nigeria enter the match with strong ambitions, and officials expect a fiercely competitive encounter.
Observers will watch closely how Sy and his team manage crucial moments, including potential penalties, offside calls, and disciplinary actions.
The referee’s consistency and authority on the field could prove decisive in shaping the outcome of this knockout stage clash.
As AFCON 2025 progresses, appointments like Sy’s highlight the importance of experienced referees in maintaining the tournament’s integrity and competitive balance.
