AFCON 2025: CAF Releases Two Referees as Tournament Enters Final Stages

AFCON 2025: CAF Releases Two Referees as Tournament Enters Final Stages
Final stage officials confirmed for remaining matches
CAF introduces technology driven technical analysis model

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has released two referees from officiating duties at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco as the tournament moves into its final phase.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that CAF confirmed that Boubou Traoré of Mali and Abdou Abdel Mefire of Cameroon will no longer take part in officiating matches for the remainder of the competition. The football body did not give any official reason for the decision.

The development is widely seen as part of the routine reduction of match officials as the tournament narrows, with only the semi finals, third place playoff and final left to be played.

CAF has retained a select group of referees for the concluding matches of AFCON 2025. They include Mustapha Ghorbal, Pacifique Ndabihawenimana, Jean Ndala, Amin Omar, Pierre Atcho, Peter Waweru, Dahane Beida, Jalal Jayed, Samuel Uwikunda, Issa Sy, Omar Artan, Abongile Tom, Mahmoud Ismail and Mehrez Melki.

Beyond refereeing decisions, CAF has also introduced major changes to how matches are technically analysed at the tournament. The AFCON 2025 Technical Study Group is operating under a new model that places technology and collaboration at the centre of its work.

For the first time in the history of the competition, CAF deployed a fully integrated remote based analysis system during the group stage. The system is supported by live data platforms, multiple video angles and dedicated video analysts, allowing for more detailed and consistent technical assessments.

Technical Study Group leader, Belhassen Malouche, said the shift was necessary to keep pace with the modern game.

“Football is improving, but also the technology and the way matches are analysed,” Malouche said. “If football is evolving, we also need to evolve. This required us to grow and work in the same environment as the top global football competitions.”

CAF explained that unlike previous tournaments where experts worked alone and produced manual reports, the Morocco 2025 edition has been structured around teamwork, daily coordination meetings and shared analysis across all matches.