Mauritanian referee Abdel Aziz Bouh will oversee Senegal’s opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations against Botswana on Tuesday in Morocco.
Senegal head into the tournament with a referee they already know well. Bouh previously handled a high-profile fixture involving the Lions, taking charge of the friendly match against Algeria at the Abdoulaye-Wade Stadium in Diamniadio on 13 September 2023, a contest Algeria won.
That prior experience offers familiarity as Senegal begin their AFCON campaign.
At 33, Bouh continues to build a strong reputation on the continental stage. He takes charge of his second Africa Cup of Nations finals after making his debut at the 2024 tournament.
During that edition, he officiated the Group A encounter between Guinea and Gambia, which ended in a 1–0 victory. That group also featured Senegal, giving Bouh further exposure to the competitive environment surrounding the defending champions.
His record includes experience beyond national teams. On the club scene, Bouh refereed the CAF Confederation Cup match between Senegal’s ASC Diambars and Nigeria’s Enyimba, a game that ended in a narrow 1–0 defeat for the Senegalese side.
That appointment underlined the confidence continental football authorities place in his decision-making and game management.
Bouh’s selection reflects the continued rise of Mauritanian officiating within African football.
Over recent seasons, referees from the country have gained increasing visibility at major tournaments, with Bouh standing among the most prominent names.
His calm approach and growing experience suit the demands of a high-pressure AFCON opener.
For Senegal, the focus remains firmly on performance, but familiarity with the referee may ease early nerves as they begin their title defence.
The clash with Botswana marks a crucial first step in the group stage, where discipline and control often shape early momentum.
As the whistle blows in Morocco, Abdel Aziz Bouh will once again stand at the centre of the African game, entrusted with guiding a key fixture that carries expectations, history and the weight of a continental tournament.
