CAF Appoints Referee for Morocco vs Cameroon AFCON 2025 Quarterfinal Amid Tensions
Rabat, 8 January 2026 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Mauritanian referee Dahane Beida to officiate the highly anticipated AFCON 2025 quarterfinal between hosts Morocco and Cameroon, scheduled for tomorrow at 20:00 GMT. This decision follows a formal complaint by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) over an abnormal delay in referee appointments, raising concerns about match preparation and fairness.
Background on Refereeing Tensions
The FRMF lodged a complaint with CAF, highlighting the uncertainty caused by the late designation of officials. With less than 24 hours before kickoff, the Moroccan body stressed the need for transparency and proper planning, especially for a clash between two African heavyweights. Reports also indicate unrest within CAF’s referees committee, including controversies over sponsorship compliance and officiating standards. Cameroonian Football Federation president Samuel Eto’o has publicly criticized refereeing at the tournament, alleging bias towards certain teams.
Referee Team Details
Dahane Beida, a prominent official in African football, leads the team. He is supported by assistants from Angola and the Republic of Congo, with VAR handled by officials from Ghana, Tunisia, and Mauritania.
| Role | Official | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| Referee | Dahane Beida | Mauritania |
| Assistant Referee 1 | Jerson Emiliano Dos Santos | Angola |
| Assistant Referee 2 | Ivanildo Meirelles de Oliveira Sanches | Angola |
| Fourth Official | Styven Moutsassi Moyo | Republic of Congo |
| Video Assistant Referee | Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea | Ghana |
| Assistant VAR 1 | Haythem Guirat | Tunisia |
| Assistant VAR 2 | Babacar Sarr | Mauritania |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was there a delay in appointing referees?
CAF has not issued a full public statement, but reports suggest internal committee tensions and compliance issues, such as referees wearing non-CAF sponsored boots, contributed to the uncertainty.
Has Dahane Beida officiated high-profile matches before?
Yes, Beida has experience in major African competitions, including previous AFCON rounds, and is known for handling pressure in continental tournaments.
What are the implications for the Morocco vs Cameroon match?
The appointment aims to ensure fairness, but with the FRMF’s complaint and Eto’o’s criticisms, refereeing decisions will be closely scrutinized in this rivalry clash.