AFCON 2025: Meet Omar Artan, Referee Appointed to Officiate Nigeria vs Algeria

Somali referee Omar Artan has been appointed to take charge of the 2025 1XBET Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-final clash between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Algeria.

Artan is widely regarded as one of the most respected referees on the African continent and is among the officials selected to represent Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The experienced referee has an impressive track record at both continental and global levels. He previously officiated Algeria’s group-stage encounter against Mauritania at the 2023 AFCON and has also handled matches at the Africa Cup of Nations on multiple occasions.

Artan made history as the first Somali referee to oversee a continental final when he officiated the CAF Champions League final in Cairo, where Egypt’s Pyramids FC defeated South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns.

He has also achieved another milestone by becoming the first referee from Somalia to be selected for a FIFA World Cup tournament. In addition, he is the sole representative from Sub-Saharan Africa among the three centre referees chosen to officiate at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Nigeria booked their place in the quarter-finals after a convincing 4–0 victory over Mozambique, while Algeria edged past the Democratic Republic of Congo 1–0 to secure their spot in the last eight.

The Super Eagles and the Desert Foxes will face off at the Stade de Marrakech on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Nigerian time.