The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled the official list of 56 referees selected to officiate at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt in 2025.
However, in a surprising turn of events, no Senegalese referees have been included in the list.
This marks the first time in several years that Senegal, a country known for its strong contributions to African refereeing, has not had any officials selected for a major CAF competition.
The absence of Senegalese referees from the list has raised eyebrows, particularly given their prominent role in past tournaments.
The nation’s referees have historically been well-represented at such events, which makes their exclusion all the more noteworthy.
The list of selected officials spans across 29 different countries, showcasing the diversity of African football’s officiating body.
Egypt, the host nation for the competition, is the most represented with six referees. Following Egypt, South Africa has four referees included in the list.
Other nations such as Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Zambia, and Mauritania have three referees each, while countries like Cameroon, Algeria, and Eswatini are also well-represented.
In addition to the referees, the selection includes assistant referees, video assistant referees (VARs), and various CAF technical and IT staff members.
The inclusion of VARs underscores the importance of technology in maintaining fair play during this high-profile tournament.
Other nations, including Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria, Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda, Gambia, and even Djibouti, have one referee selected each, further reflecting the broad geographic representation in the officiating team.
Despite the wide spread of officials across the continent, Senegal’s absence is notably conspicuous.
This edition of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations, which will take place from April 27 to May 18, 2025, is significant as it not only determines the next champion of African youth football but also serves as a key development stage for young players from across the continent.
The tournament will see Senegal’s national U20 team defending their title after winning the 2023 edition on the same Egyptian soil.
Senegal has long been a dominant force in African football, both on the field and in terms of officiating, and the country’s absence from the referee list for this prestigious competition has raised questions within the football community.
Some observers are concerned about what this omission could mean for the country’s future involvement in African football governance and officiating.
As the tournament approaches, all eyes will be on the young players, but the lack of Senegalese referees will also undoubtedly be a point of discussion.
For now, Senegal will have to focus on its team’s performance, with the hope of defending their U20 AFCON title, while the wider issue of officiating representation will remain a talking point for the future.
