The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Mauritanian referee Dahane Beida to take charge of Nigeria’s opening match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations against Tanzania on Tuesday.
The Super Eagles will begin their quest for a fourth continental title at the Complexe Sportif de Fès in Morocco, with expectations high ahead of their Group C clash.
Beida, a 33-year-old FIFA-listed official, is regarded as one of the most respected referees on the African continent. He boasts an impressive résumé, having officiated several high-profile matches under both CAF and FIFA.
In 2024, he handled multiple games at the Olympic Games, including two matches involving eventual champions Spain. He was also selected for the FIFA Club World Cup, where he oversaw fixtures featuring European heavyweights such as Real Madrid and Inter Milan.
Despite his pedigree, Beida’s appointment has stirred memories among Nigerian fans due to his role in the 2023 AFCON final between Nigeria and hosts Ivory Coast, a match the Super Eagles lost 2-1. Although there were a few controversial moments, his performance was not considered the decisive factor in Nigeria’s defeat.
As Nigeria prepares to face Tanzania, the Super Eagles remain strong favourites to secure all three points. The team will be keen to put any past associations aside and make a commanding start to their AFCON 2025 campaign with a confident and disciplined performance.
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