The Confederation of African Football has picked Monday, November 18 for Nigeria’s final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Rwanda, scheduled for the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.
The Matchday 6 encounter will draw the curtain on the race from Group D for slots at the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals to be held in Morocco December 2025/January 2026.
CAF has also appointed Moroccan match officials for the game, with Samir Guezzaz in the role of referee at the encounter that will commence at 5pm Nigeria time. His compatriots Zakaria Brinsi, Abdessamad Abertoune and Kech Chaf Mustapha will serve as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively.
Prosper Harrison Addo from Ghana will be the commissioner while Somalian Ali Mohamed Ahmed will be in the role of referee assessor.
For the Matchday 5 clash with Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Thursday, 14th November, that will commence at 7pm CIV time (8pm Nigeria time), CAF has appointed officials from Senegal to superintend, with Issa Sy to be referee.
His compatriots Djibril Camara, Nouha Bangoura and El Hadji Amadou Sy will serve as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively. Ivorian Rene Williams Sere will be commissioner while Angolan Inacio Manuel Candido will be referee assessor.
Meanwhile, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 is set to begin in December, marking a significant shift in the tournament’s traditional scheduling. Originally, AFCON has typically taken place in January and February, but the upcoming edition will run from December 13, 2025, to January 11, 2026.
This change comes as part of the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) efforts to align the tournament with international football calendars and to avoid clashes with club competitions in Europe and other regions. The 2025 tournament will be hosted by Morocco, which is expected to provide an exciting atmosphere with its rich football culture and modern facilities.
This edition will feature 24 teams competing for the coveted title, showcasing some of the best talents in African football. Nations are already gearing up for the qualifiers, and fans are eager to see how their teams will perform on this prestigious stage.
The decision to hold AFCON in December is anticipated to boost attendance and viewership, as it will coincide with the festive season in many countries, offering fans an opportunity to celebrate the sport. As anticipation builds, many are looking forward to what promises to be a thrilling tournament filled with drama, skill, and the passionate spirit of African football.
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 is set to begin in December, marking a significant shift in the tournament’s traditional scheduling. Originally, AFCON has typically taken place in January and February, but the upcoming edition will run from December 13, 2025, to January 11, 2026.
This change comes as part of the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) efforts to align the tournament with international football calendars and to avoid clashes with club competitions in Europe and other regions. The 2025 tournament will be hosted by Morocco, which is expected to provide an exciting atmosphere with its rich football culture and modern facilities.
This edition will feature 24 teams competing for the coveted title, showcasing some of the best talents in African football. Nations are already gearing up for the qualifiers, and fans are eager to see how their teams will perform on this prestigious stage.
The decision to hold AFCON in December is anticipated to boost attendance and viewership, as it will coincide with the festive season in many countries, offering fans an opportunity to celebrate the sport. As anticipation builds, many are looking forward to what promises to be a thrilling tournament filled with drama, skill, and the passionate spirit of African football.
