The Union of West African Football Federations (UFOA-B) has officially revealed the list of referees selected to officiate the 2024 U20 Men’s Tournament, set to kick off on July 10 in Accra, Ghana.
A total of seven referee pairs, each comprising a central referee and an assistant, have been appointed for the competition.
Each member federation within the UFOA-B region is represented by one pair, ensuring a diverse and balanced officiating crew for the tournament.
The competition will open with a high-stakes clash between host nation Ghana and arch-rivals Nigeria in what promises to be an electrifying start at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The full list of referees selected for the tournament is as follows:
- Benin: Ahomlanto Dedjinnachi Tanislas (Central) / Kouton Gbemassiandan (Assistant)
- Burkina Faso: Nikiema Jacqueline (Central) / Traoré Daouda (Assistant)
- Ivory Coast: Soro Tuoniféré (Central) / Bamba Kalilou (Assistant)
- Ghana: Bless Yao Sleorm (Central) / Patricia Kyeraa (Assistant)
- Niger: Ali Moussa Mouhamed (Central) / Ali Hamidou (Assistant)
- Nigeria: Salisu Basheer (Central) / Abdul Majeed Usman (Assistant)
- Togo: Senyo Kossi (Central) / Agbedanou Abra (Assistant)
This year’s officiating team highlights the growing efforts by UFOA-B to promote diversity and inclusion within refereeing.
Notably, the list features female referees in key roles, including Nikiema Jacqueline from Burkina Faso and Patricia Kyeraa from Ghana, both entrusted with significant responsibilities on the field.
With preparations in full swing, the selected referees have undergone intensive training to ensure they are equipped to handle the pressures of the tournament.
UFOA-B officials have reiterated the importance of maintaining high refereeing standards, fair play, and integrity throughout the competition.
The tournament, which serves as a key developmental platform for young talents in West Africa, will not only showcase future football stars but also highlight the quality of officiating from the region.
Each match will be a test of the referees’ ability to manage the game at a high level, applying consistency, accuracy, and authority on the pitch.
The opening fixture between Ghana and Nigeria is expected to draw significant attention given the historic rivalry between the two nations at all levels of football. For the referees, it will be an opportunity to demonstrate their readiness from the very start.
As the competition progresses, all eyes will be on both the players and the officials tasked with ensuring that matches are conducted smoothly, fairly, and within the spirit of the game.
The 2024 UFOA-B U20 Men’s Tournament promises to be an exciting event, not only for the participating teams but also for the referees whose performances will be under the spotlight as they contribute to the success of the competition in Accra.
🟦 The CAF WEST ZONE B announces the match officials for the 3rd edition of the U20 BOYS CUP – GHANA 2025
La CAF ZONE OUEST B annonce les officiels de match pour la 3é édition de la coupe U20 GARÇONS – GHANA 2025
▶️ 7 Referees
▶️ 7 Assistant Referees#ZONEOUESTB | @FIFAcom |… pic.twitter.com/n7NrjITq0k— ZONE OUEST B (@UfoawafuB) July 2, 2025
