Cameroonian referee Abdou Abdel Mefire has been appointed to take charge of the CHAN 2024 final between Morocco and Madagascar, scheduled for Saturday, August 30, 2025, in Nairobi.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed the appointment, highlighting Mefire’s rapid rise in African refereeing. At just 29 years old, he is the youngest official at this year’s African Nations Championship, a feat that reflects his growing reputation as one of the continent’s most promising referees.
Mefire’s swift ascent in international refereeing has also secured him a place on FIFA’s list of match officials for the upcoming U17 World Cup, to be staged later this year in Qatar.
His progression marks a significant achievement for Cameroon’s refereeing community, as he continues to demonstrate composure and authority on some of African football’s biggest stages.
Since earning his first international appointment in 2019, Mefire has earned praise for his calm leadership, sharp decision-making, and consistent performances in high-pressure encounters.
His officiating during CHAN 2024, with matches in Nairobi, Kampala, and Dar es Salaam, has been widely regarded as exemplary, paving the way for his selection for this highly anticipated final.
CAF has also named a team of experienced officials to support Mefire in Nairobi. Djibouti’s Robleh Dirir Eleyeh will serve as the first assistant referee, while Joel Wonka Doe of Liberia takes the role of second assistant referee. Kenyan official Dickens Mimisa Nyagrowa has been assigned as the fourth official for the final.
In the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) booth, Mauritania’s Dahane Beida will oversee the technical review process as lead VAR. He will be joined by Gabon’s Pierre Ghislain Atcho (AVAR 1) and Kenya’s Stephen Eleazar Onyango Yiembe (AVAR 2), ensuring comprehensive officiating support for the match. Gabonese referee MB Amos Abeigne Ndong has also been designated as the reserve assistant referee.
The CHAN 2024 final is set to be a highly competitive encounter, with Morocco seeking to reaffirm their dominance in African football while Madagascar aims for a historic victory.
The appointment of Mefire and his officiating team underscores CAF’s commitment to elevating young referees and showcasing African talent on the global stage.
As anticipation builds for Saturday’s clash, all eyes will not only be on the two finalists but also on Mefire’s leadership, as he takes charge of one of the most prestigious fixtures of his career so far.
