The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has ringed changes to the officiating officials for the high-stake quarterfinals clash between Algeria and Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
However, Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will not be at the helm of affairs for the high-profile game, scheduled for Saturday, January 10, 2026 in Marrakech.
According to multiple reports, CAF took the decision after it emerged that Artan had worn football boots from a brand not approved by the tournament’s official sponsors during a previous AFCON fixture. The incident was deemed a violation of CAF’s commercial and competition regulations.
As a results, the continental football governing body (CAF), has opted to withdraw the referee from the high-profile last-eight encounter in order to uphold tournament rules and standards.
Meanwhile, CAF has settled on Senegalese referee Issa Sy to take charge of the clash between Algeria and Nigeria at the Grand Stade de Marrakech.
