Mustafa Ghorbal
Sports – Mustafa Ghorbal

The refereeing committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has finalized its decision regarding the officiating team for the Egypt vs. Ivory Coast match, scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, at the Adrar Stadium in the Moroccan city of Agadir, as part of the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

It has been learned that the CAF refereeing committee has appointed Algerian international referee Mustafa Ghorbal to officiate the Egypt vs. Ivory Coast match. He will be assisted in the officiating team by his compatriot, Lahlo Ben Braham, as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

Yesterday, a state of ambiguity dominated the refereeing scene ahead of the anticipated match between the national teams of Morocco and Cameroon in the tournament’s round of eight. This came after the notification of the officiating team appointed to manage the match was delayed until now, despite the imminent start time of the encounter.

It was learned from private sources that the refereeing committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had not, until late last night, notified any officiating team to manage the Morocco vs. Cameroon match. This was despite the conclusion of the committee’s meeting with the tournament’s referees in the past hours, with less than 24 hours remaining until the match’s scheduled time.

According to the sources, the refereeing committee informed the referees participating in managing the tournament’s matches that their notifications for the assignments related to Friday’s matches, along with Saturday’s two matches, would be sent via email, either later tonight or by tomorrow morning at the latest.

Adrar Stadium

Adrar Stadium is a multi-purpose sports venue located in Agadir, Morocco, primarily used for football matches and as the home ground of the local club Hassania Agadir. It was inaugurated in 2013 to replace the older Stade Al Inbiaâte, built to meet modern standards and host matches for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. The stadium is named after the nearby Adrar mountain, meaning “mountain” in the local Amazigh (Berber) language.

Moroccan city of Agadir

Agadir is a major coastal city in southwestern Morocco, known for its modern beach resorts and vibrant tourism industry. Its history was dramatically reshaped by a devastating earthquake in 1960, which destroyed much of the old city; the present Agadir was meticulously rebuilt a short distance from the ruins, blending contemporary architecture with traditional Moroccan elements.

Africa Cup of Nations

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is the premier international men’s football competition in Africa, first organized in 1957. It was founded to promote unity and independence among African nations, with only three countries participating in its inaugural tournament. Today, it is a major global sporting event held every two years, showcasing the continent’s top football talent and passionate fan culture.

Egypt

Egypt, home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations, is famed for its iconic monuments like the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, which date back over 4,500 years to the era of the pharaohs. Its rich history spans ancient kingdoms, Greco-Roman rule, and Islamic caliphates, all leaving a profound cultural and architectural legacy along the Nile River. Today, it remains a central destination for understanding early human development, religion, and monumental engineering.

Ivory Coast

The Ivory Coast, officially known as Côte d’Ivoire, is a West African nation with a rich history shaped by pre-colonial kingdoms, French colonization from the late 19th century, and independence in 1960. Culturally, it is renowned for its diverse ethnic traditions and is considered a major global hub for cocoa production. Notable cultural sites include the historic town of Grand-Bassam, a UNESCO World Heritage site that was an early French colonial capital, and the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, one of the world’s largest churches.

Morocco

Cameroon

Cameroon is a diverse Central African nation known for its rich cultural heritage, which includes over 250 ethnic groups and linguistic traditions. Historically, its territory saw early settlements like the Sao civilization, followed by the arrival of European colonizers, leading to it becoming a German protectorate in 1884 before later being split into French and British administrative zones after World War I. This colonial history significantly shaped its modern bilingual (French and English) identity and political structure.

Confederation of African Football (CAF)

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is the administrative and governing body for association football in Africa, founded in 1957 in Khartoum, Sudan. Its establishment was driven by the desire to promote and organize the sport independently on the continent, with its flagship tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations, first held in 1957. CAF now represents 54 national associations and is a key member of FIFA, overseeing all major African football competitions.