CAF names referees for Nigeria vs Egypt AFCON third-place playoff
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed the officiating panel for the Nigeria vs Egypt 2025 AFCON third-place playoff, scheduled for Saturday, January 17, 2026. Moroccan referee Jalal Jayed will be the centre referee, assisted by Zakaria Brinsi, Akarkad Mostafa, and Hassani Khalil. Peter Waweru Kamaku (Kenya) will serve as the fourth official. For VAR, Lahlou Benraham (Algeria) leads the team with Haythem Guirat (Tunisia) and Hamza El Fariq (Egypt) as assistants. Sinko Zeli from Togo is the referee assessor.
This final preparation before the match sets the technical standard for a high-stakes encounter between two of Africa's footballing powerhouses. The third-place playoff determines the tournament's final podium finish, crucial for FIFA ranking points and national pride after missing out on the championship match. The chosen officials represent multiple African nations, reflecting CAF's effort to ensure fair and experienced officiating for this prestigious fixture.
The match kicks off on Saturday at 9:00 PM local time (WAT). Fans can watch the game live on SuperSport (channel 204) and CAF's official YouTube channel. With Nigeria aiming to secure bronze after their semifinal loss to Ivory Coast, and Egypt seeking a positive end to their campaign, the appointed referees will be under close scrutiny from both teams and supporters.