By AbdulRahman AbdulRahman
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially appointed Senegalese referee Issa Sy as the new centre referee for the highly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 quarter-final clash between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Algeria’s Desert Foxes.
CAF had initially named Omar Artan to officiate the encounter but later withdrew the appointment amid rising concerns and tensions over officiating decisions at the tournament.
In a fresh announcement, CAF confirmed Issa Sy as the match official for the crucial fixture, scheduled to take place on Saturday in Marrakech, Morocco.
Issa Sy is familiar with the ongoing AFCON, having served as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) during the group-stage match between hosts Morocco and Tanzania.
The latest appointment is expected to ease concerns ahead of the high-stakes showdown, as both Nigeria and Algeria vie for a coveted spot in the semi-finals of the continental competition.