The Confederation of African Football has named Mauritania’s Dahane Beida as the centre referee for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group C clash between Nigeria and Tanzania.
Beida, widely regarded as one of Africa’s most seasoned referees, has already played a key role in the tournament.
He officiated as the Video Assistant Referee during AFCON 2025’s opening match, where hosts Morocco edged past Comoros 2-0 thanks to goals from Brahim Díaz and a stunning overhead strike from Ayoub El Kaabi.
The Super Eagles are set to face Tanzania in their first Group C fixture at the Complexe Sportif de Fès on Tuesday.
This meeting will mark only the second time Nigeria and Tanzania have faced each other in AFCON history, the first being at the 1980 finals when Nigeria secured a 3-1 victory.
CAF’s choice of Beida highlights the increasing trust placed in experienced African referees for high-stakes matches, especially as VAR continues to play a pivotal role in officiating at the continental level.
With Nigeria looking to make a strong start in Group C, the appointment of a referee familiar with the tournament’s pressure could prove crucial in maintaining fairness and flow in what promises to be a competitive fixture.
