For the Morocco–Nigeria match, South Africa’s Abongile Tom will be the VAR referee. /CAF
Two Kenyan referees will be part of the Video Assistant Referee teams for Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final matches in Morocco, underlining Kenya’s growing presence in continental officiating.
The first semi-final will see Senegal face seven-time champions Egypt at the Stade Ibn Batouta in Tangier from 8 pm.
The fixture renews a fierce rivalry between the two sides following their most recent AFCON meeting in the 2021 final in Yaoundé, Cameroon, where Senegal lifted their first-ever continental title.
That night proved emotionally draining for Egypt, who once again fell short in their bid for an elusive eighth AFCON crown, their last triumph having come in 2010.
For Wednesday’s encounter, Kenyan referee Peter Waweru Kamaku will serve as VAR, assisted by Letticia Antonella Viana of Eswatini and Elvis Guy Noupue Nguengoue of Cameroon.
TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Technical Study Group, Morocco 2025. /CAF
The second semi-final, scheduled for 11 pm, will pit tournament hosts Morocco against three-time champions Nigeria at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Morocco, buoyed by strong home support, are chasing the dream of lifting the AFCON trophy on home soil against seasoned West African heavyweights.
The hosts entered the tournament as favourites and have so far lived up to expectations, recording four wins and a draw.
Nigeria, meanwhile, remain unbeaten with five victories from five matches.
Wednesday’s clash will be the sixth AFCON meeting between the two sides, their first in 22 years and the second time they are facing each other at the semi-final stage.
Their first AFCON encounter dates back to 1976, when Morocco won both group-stage meetings 3-1 and 2-1 on their way to claiming their only continental title.
This year’s semi-final marks Morocco’s first appearance at this stage in 22 years.
The North Africans will be aiming to reach the final for just the third time in their history, having won the tournament in 1976 and finished runners-up to Tunisia in 2004.
For the Morocco–Nigeria match, South Africa’s Abongile Tom will be the VAR referee, assisted by Haythem Guirat of Tunisia as first VAR assistant referee and Kenya’s Stephen Onyango Yiembe as second assistant VAR referee.
The winners of the two semi-finals will meet in the final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday, January 18, with kickoff scheduled for 10 pm.
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