The CAF has entrusted the officiating of Morocco–Mali, scheduled for Friday, December 26, 2025, in Rabat for the second day of Group A of CAN 2025, to Cameroonian Abdou Abdel Mefire. At 29 years old, the official is presented as the youngest central referee selected for this edition, a strong signal from the refereeing commission at a time when the tournament is ramping up in intensity from the very first matches that carry ‘psychological’ elimination stakes within the groups.
This choice is based on a career already marked by major appointments. Abdou Abdel Mefire had notably been appointed by the CAF to officiate the final of CHAN 2024 between Morocco and Madagascar, held in Nairobi, proving that his profile has been recognized for several months for managing high-pressure matches.
For the Atlas Lions, expected in a packed stadium, the stakes are clear: to validate the momentum from the opening match and move closer to qualification. In this context, the appointment of a young referee who is already experienced in high-profile matches emphasizes the need for a fine management of duels, transitions, and VAR situations, ensuring that the scenario unfolds primarily on the field.
