AFCON 2025: Senegal’s Issa Sy Named Referee for Algeria vs Nigeria
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed the refereeing team for Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final clash between Algeria and Nigeria in Marrakech.
Senegalese referee Issa Sy will lead the officiating crew, with Gabonese official Pierre Acho appointed to oversee video technology (VAR).
Sy, 41, has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2015 and brings considerable experience to the role. At AFCON 2025, he has already officiated two group-stage matches: Zambia’s 3-0 win in Marrakech and Egypt’s 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe.
He also handled Algeria’s 1-1 draw with Angola at AFCON 2024 in Côte d’Ivoire and was in charge of Algeria’s 4-0 away win over Niger during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Nigeria’s fans will recall Sy from that comfortable 4-0 victory over Niger, a match where officiating was not controversial. His appointment for the Nigeria vs Algeria quarter-final highlights CAF’s trust in his experience, especially given the high stakes and history between the two nations.
With Algeria also having played under his watch before, both sides are familiar with Sy’s style of refereeing, which could prove crucial in a contest expected to be decided by fine margins.
VAR official Pierre Acho is also familiar with Algerian fixtures, having overseen their 3-0 group-stage victory against Sudan earlier in the current tournament.
Saturday’s clash between the Super Eagles and the Fennecs promises to be one of the standout fixtures of AFCON 2025, with CAF entrusting an experienced refereeing team to manage the contest.
