AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: CAF appoints Moroccan referees to officiate Chad vs Burundi clash

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has named a Moroccan refereeing team led by Jalal Jayed to officiate the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Chad and Burundi.

The fixture forms part of the preliminary qualifying round for the next edition of the tournament. Both nations, ranked among the eight lowest in the CAF standings, must face off in a two-legged playoff to earn a place in the main qualifying group stage.

The team with the superior aggregate score over home and away legs will advance to join the 42 higher-ranked African nations.

Jayed, a familiar figure in continental football, has officiated numerous high-stakes matches across AFCON and World Cup qualifiers.

Known for his consistency and calm under pressure, he is a trusted referee for CAF in competitive fixtures.

His appointment underscores Morocco’s growing influence in African refereeing, with more officials from the country being selected for major matches in recent years.

Typically, Jayed works with a consistent Moroccan officiating crew, though CAF has not yet announced the full lineup for this match. Maintaining established teams ensures continuity and familiarity in high-pressure games.

With qualification on the line, the Chad vs Burundi playoff will place refereeing decisions under close scrutiny, highlighting CAF’s preference for experience and reliability at this stage.

Officials like Jayed will continue to play a crucial role as the qualifiers unfold and bigger continental and international tournaments approach.