AFCON 2025: CAF Appoints Moroccan Referee for Egypt vs Nigeria Third-Place Playoff, Sparks Controversy

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Moroccan referee Jalal Jayed to officiate Nigeria’s third-place playoff clash against Egypt at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a decision that has generated widespread debate among Nigerian football fans and observers.

CAF confirmed Jayed’s appointment on Friday, noting that he will be assisted by fellow Moroccans Zakaria Brinsi and Akarkad Mostafa. Tunisia’s Hassani Khalil has been named as the third assistant referee, while Kenya’s Peter Kamaku will serve as the fourth official. For video officiating, Algeria’s Lahlou Benbraham will act as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), supported by Haythem Guirat of Tunisia and Morocco’s Hamza El Fariq. The referee assessor for the match is Sinko Zelli from Côte d’Ivoire.

The third-place playoff between Egypt and Nigeria is scheduled for Saturday, January 17, 2026. It comes just days after the Super Eagles were eliminated in the semi-finals by host nation Morocco, who won 4–2 on penalties after a goalless draw over 120 minutes. Morocco will now face Senegal’s Teranga Lions in Sunday’s final.

Nigeria’s encounter with Egypt marks the Super Eagles’ ninth appearance in AFCON third-place matches. Remarkably, Nigeria have won all eight of their previous bronze-medal playoffs, making them the most successful team in the history of the competition’s third-place games. For many fans, the match offers a chance to end the tournament on a positive note after the disappointment of missing out on the final.

The Super Eagles arrived at the semi-finals in impressive form, scoring 14 goals en route, including a commanding 4–0 win over Mozambique and a solid 2–0 victory against Algeria’s Desert Foxes. However, against Morocco, Eric Chelle’s side struggled to replicate their attacking fluency, though they remained defensively disciplined and forced the hosts into extra time.

Despite the sporting significance of the match, CAF’s choice of a Moroccan referee has dominated discussions, particularly among Nigerian supporters. Many have questioned the neutrality of appointing a North African official for a game involving another North African team. Critics argue that CAF should have selected referees from regions such as East, Central, or Southern Africa to avoid perceptions of bias.

Several fans also lamented Nigeria’s absence from the list of match officials at the tournament, describing it as an indictment of the country’s refereeing standards and administration. Others, however, countered that the nationality of the referee should matter less than competence and fairness, noting that poor performance by the Nigerian team, rather than officiating, was the primary reason for their semi-final exit.

The debate reflects a broader and recurring issue in African football, where refereeing appointments often attract scrutiny and controversy, especially in high-stakes matches. While some fans fear potential bias, others insist that professionalism should prevail and that teams must focus on performance rather than officiating decisions.

As Nigeria prepare to face Egypt, the Super Eagles will aim to maintain their perfect record in AFCON third-place playoffs and secure a bronze medal. Regardless of the controversy surrounding the officiating, Saturday’s match represents an opportunity for redemption and pride, as Nigeria seek to conclude their AFCON 2025 campaign on a winning note.