Algerian officials have been selected by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to take charge of the highly anticipated opening match of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which will see hosts Tanzania face Burkina Faso on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar Es Salaam.
Lotfi Bekouassa has been named as the central referee for the fixture, with fellow Algerians Adel Abane and Houssam Benyahya serving as first assistant and fourth official respectively.
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) role will be filled by Lahlou Benbraham, completing an all-Algerian officiating team.
This decision signals CAF’s growing confidence in Algerian refereeing at the continental level. While domestic perceptions of refereeing standards in Algeria have faced criticism in recent years, this appointment marks a strong endorsement of the country’s officials on the international stage.
The CHAN opening match is traditionally a high-pressure fixture, often carrying a heightened emotional and technical load. With the eyes of the continent fixed on the curtain-raiser, CAF has opted for a refereeing team it believes can handle the complexities of such a key encounter.
The appointment of Bekouassa and his team is therefore a sign of trust in their capability to deliver impartial and authoritative officiating on such an occasion.
For Algerian refereeing, the decision comes at a pivotal moment. Domestic controversy around officiating standards has been a topic of debate within Algerian football circles, with increasing scrutiny over the quality and consistency of decisions.
However, this latest recognition by CAF may serve to restore confidence and highlight the capacity of Algerian officials to operate effectively at the highest levels of African football.
CAF’s confidence is not without foundation. Lotfi Bekouassa, the lead official for the match, has steadily built a reputation across the continent for his composure and control in high-stakes matches.
His selection, alongside a familiar support team, is expected to bring a sense of cohesion and clarity to proceedings in Dar Es Salaam.
The encounter between Tanzania and Burkina Faso is expected to be fiercely contested. As hosts, Tanzania will be looking to make an early statement, while Burkina Faso’s ambition to start their campaign on a strong note adds further intensity to the fixture.
In such a setting, the role of the officials will be crucial in ensuring a fair, balanced, and smoothly run match.
The involvement of VAR in the opening fixture also underlines CAF’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accuracy in officiating throughout the tournament.
Benbraham’s inclusion in this role is another indication of trust in Algerian officials’ readiness to manage advanced technology under tournament pressure.
This appointment not only places Algeria’s referees in a continental spotlight but could also serve as a stepping stone for further responsibilities in key matches later in the tournament.
As the 2024 CHAN competition begins, all eyes will be on Dar Es Salaam—and the Algerian quartet charged with setting the tone.
