CAF Pulls Somali Referee Omar Artan From Nigeria Vs Algeria AFCON Clash – Here’s Why

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has removed Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan from officiating the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-final between Nigeria and Algeria, scheduled for Saturday in Morocco.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

CAF’s decision follows reports that Artan wore boots from a brand not sanctioned by the tournament’s official sponsors during a previous match, violating sponsorship regulations. The breach left the governing body with no choice but to pull him from one of the competition’s most high-profile fixtures.

Tournament rules mandate strict adherence to approved commercial guidelines, particularly in the later stages of the tournament. The move has come as a surprise, given Artan’s reputation in African football—he was recently named Referee of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards in Rabat after several high-profile performances across the continent.

Known for his composed and authoritative officiating, Artan’s sudden removal has sparked significant discussion within the AFCON camp. CAF is expected to announce a replacement referee ahead of the quarter-final, set for the Grand Stade de Marrakech in Ouahat Sidi Brahim, Morocco.

The stadium will host a packed crowd as the two African heavyweights battle for a semi-final spot at 5 p.m. on Saturday, January 10. The victor will go on to face either Cameroon or host nation Morocco in the AFCON 2025 semi-finals.