AFCON 2025: CAF confirms match officials for Nigeria vs Morocco showdown

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced the match officials for the highly anticipated 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) clash between Nigeria and Morocco.

The heavyweight Group-stage encounter is scheduled for Wednesday, 14 January 2026, with kick-off set for 9:00 pm at the iconic Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium.

Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea will take charge of the blockbuster fixture, bringing his vast continental experience to one of the tournament’s most eagerly awaited matches.

He will be assisted by Zakhele Thusi Granville Siwela of South Africa and Souru Phatsoane, while Arsenio Chadreque Maringule of Mozambique will serve as the third assistant referee.

Uganda’s Samuel Uwikunda has been named the fourth official.

The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) duties will be handled by Abongile Tom of South Africa, with Haythem Guirat of Tunisia and Stephen Onyango Yiembé of Kenya appointed as Assistant VARs 1 and 2 respectively.

Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s Lidya Tafesse Abebe will act as the Referee Assessor for the encounter.

With both Nigeria and Morocco considered among the favourites for the TotalEnergies AFCON 2025, the announcement of experienced match officials further underlines CAF’s commitment to ensuring fairness and high officiating standards as the tournament gathers momentum.