Refereeing in Africa has come a very long way. It was once the quiet corner of the game, often overlooked, often doubted. Today, it has transformed into one of the most vibrant aspects of African football.
The men and women who carry the whistle now stand shoulder to shoulder with the very best in the world. They are no longer just filling slots at continental tournaments, they are running games at the FIFA World Cup, the Olympics, the FIFA Club World Cup, and even being trusted in knockout stages of competitions where billions of eyes are watching.
This transformation did not happen by chance.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) poured energy into developing referees. Regular fitness camps, classroom courses on the laws of the game, and the integration of technology such as VAR (Video Assistant Referee) and GLT (Goal-Line Technology) raised the standards to match what we see in Europe and South America.
African referees no longer arrive at a World Cup as outsiders. They arrive as equals, trusted by FIFA to keep order in games of the highest intensity.
As of 2025, more than 20 African referees sit on the FIFA Elite Panel. This is the most in history. They represent countries spread across the continent : Algeria, Morocco, South Africa, Zambia, Ethiopia, Gambia, Mauritania, Namibia, Rwanda, DR Congo, and more.
Some are veterans who have been on this journey for decades, others are fresh faces rising fast, and there are women who have shattered barriers and opened a path for future generations.
To understand who the best referee in Africa is right now, you have to look at the bigger picture. It is not just about one good decision or one major final.
It is about consistency, command of the game, trust from players and managers, and recognition from both CAF and FIFA. That is why, in 2025, the continent has a refined list of elite referees who stand out above the rest.
A New Era for African Refereeing
Refereeing in Africa used to carry a reputation for inconsistency. Critics questioned fitness levels, positioning, and decision-making. But the last decade has rewritten that story.
CAF invested heavily in referee education, ensuring African officials underwent the same rigorous assessments as UEFA referees.
Those who failed fitness tests were cut off immediately. Those who excelled were rewarded with continental finals and later FIFA assignments.
Technology also played a role. VAR, initially seen with suspicion, became a tool that African referees mastered quickly.
Many of them now handle VAR rooms in World Cup matches. Communication, one of the biggest challenges in the modern game, has also improved. Referees now manage multi-lingual squads with authority, speaking the language of football in the clearest possible way.
What makes the current generation unique is their exposure. A referee from Algeria or Rwanda is no longer confined to the African circuit.
They are officiating at FIFA youth tournaments, Olympic finals, and high-stakes games in the Club World Cup. That exposure breeds confidence and sharpens their ability to handle pressure.
The Best Referees in Africa
Here is a closer look at the referees who define the African landscape right now, the ones who are consistently entrusted with the biggest games and carry the highest reputation on the global stage.
Issa Sy (Senegal)
Senegal has always been a powerhouse in African football, and that reputation extends to refereeing as well. Issa Sy has become one of the most trusted officials on the continent.
In 2025, he was selected to officiate at the FIFA Club World Cup, leading an all-African crew in a match that put the continent firmly in the spotlight.
He also handled a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier between Madagascar and Ghana earlier in the year, further establishing his reputation as a safe pair of hands.
Sy’s composure, sharp decision-making, and ability to keep control of high-pressure games have made him one of Africa’s top referees today.
Dahane Beida (Mauritania)
Mauritania’s Dahane Beida is one of the continent’s rising stars, but he already looks like a seasoned veteran. His performances in recent years have caught global attention.
At the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, he was trusted with high-profile matches and came away with glowing praise. In 2025, he made headlines again after taking charge of a FIFA Club World Cup game involving Inter Milan, where international press highlighted his fairness and clear decision-making.
Beida represents a new wave of African referees breaking barriers and showing that officials from smaller footballing nations can shine just as brightly as those from traditional giants.
Mutaz Ibrahim (Libya)
Libya’s Mutaz Ibrahim has been steadily climbing the ladder and now finds himself among Africa’s elite referees.
His appointment to officiate matches at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations was a statement of his growing reputation. Not long after, he was named African Referee of the Year, recognition of his excellent work across CAF competitions.
In 2025, Ibrahim joined the select group of referees chosen for the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, cementing his place at the very top.
His firm handling of tough matches and ability to stay cool under pressure are qualities that make him stand out.
Jean-Jacques Ndala (DR Congo)
Jean-Jacques Ndala from the Democratic Republic of Congo has been a regular face in the final stages of African competitions.
He has refereed CAF Champions League finals, Confederation Cup finals, and Super Cups, making him one of the most trusted officials for the continent’s biggest games.
Known for his strong presence on the field, Ndala is the kind of referee who can let a game flow yet still stamp his authority when needed.
His appointments to high-profile matches show the confidence CAF has in him. For Congolese football, Ndala is a source of pride and proof that referees from Central Africa can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best.
Omar Artan (Somalia)
Omar Artan from Somalia represents a new frontier for African refereeing, becoming the first Somalian to officiate the final of CAF Champions League. Coming from a nation where football infrastructure has faced serious challenges, his rise is nothing short of remarkable.
Artan has been trusted with international fixtures and CAF competitions, and in recent years, his name has become more prominent across Africa.
His journey reflects the determination of referees who push through difficult circumstances to achieve excellence. By 2025, Artan has become a respected figure among officials, inspiring hope for Somali football and proving that with talent and dedication, anything is possible.
Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco)
Morocco’s Bouchra Karboubi is changing the face of refereeing in Africa. She has become one of the most recognizable female referees on the continent.
Having officiated at the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Olympic Games, she continues to break new ground. Karboubi was the first woman to referee Morocco’s prestigious men’s Throne Cup final, and she has also overseen matches in the country’s top men’s league.
Her recognition as CAF’s Best Female Referee of the Year shows just how much impact she has had. Karboubi’s success is a sign of changing times, as more women step forward and take charge at the highest levels.
Salima Mukansanga (Rwanda)
Salima Mukansanga’s career has already made history, and her story will be told for years to come.
She became the first African woman to officiate at a Men’s World Cup in 2022 and was also the first to take charge of a Men’s AFCON game.
Mukansanga has also officiated at Women’s World Cups and Olympic Games, making her one of the most decorated referees Africa has ever produced.
Though she recently announced her retirement from active refereeing to focus on video assistant refereeing, her impact is everlasting. She has paved the way for countless women in Africa who now know it is possible to reach the very top.
Josephine Wanjiku (Kenya) and Shamirah Nabadda (Uganda)
East Africa has its own shining lights in Josephine Wanjiku of Kenya and Shamirah Nabadda of Uganda.
Both women have made their mark in CAF competitions and in 2025 were selected to officiate at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Their rise reflects the progress being made in East Africa, a region that has not always had global recognition in refereeing. Wanjiku and Nabadda are part of a generation that shows East Africa is catching up fast, and their work inspires young referees back home.
Hannah L. Moses (Liberia)
Hannah Moses is a trailblazer for Liberia. In 2025, she became the first referee from her country appointed to officiate at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Her journey has taken her through the CAF Women’s Champions League, the All-Africa Games, and youth tournaments. Each assignment has been a step toward building her reputation.
For Liberia, which has rarely seen its referees on the continental stage, Moses’ rise is a proud moment. She represents not only her nation but also the new opportunities opening up for women across Africa.
The Veterans: Experience and Consistency
While a new generation is rising, some veteran referees continue to be a force, trusted for their vast experience and impeccable track records.
Bakary Papa Gassama (Gambia)
Bakary Papa Gassama remains one of Africa’s most decorated referees. With a career spanning several AFCONs and FIFA World Cups, he has been a consistent presence at the pinnacle of the sport.
His athleticism, confidence, and ability to command respect from players and coaches alike have made him a benchmark for African refereeing excellence for years.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) appointed retired Gambian referee Bakary Papa Gassama as its new Manager of Referees’ Development, a key role aimed at strengthening the quality and professionalism of officiating across the continent.
Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria)
Few referees in Africa can match the consistency and class of Algeria’s Mustapha Ghorbal.
A FIFA referee for over a decade, he has built a reputation for authority, calmness, and technical precision. Ghorbal has officiated at the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, and countless CAF Champions League finals.
His ability to manage games involving the biggest clubs and nations shows just how far refereeing in Africa has come.
Whether it’s in Algiers, Cairo, or Casablanca, Ghorbal commands respect from players, coaches, and fans alike. In 2025, he remains one of Africa’s most reliable referees at the very top level.
Janny Sikazwe (Zambia)
Janny Sikazwe is a household name in African football.
With multiple FIFA World Cups and AFCON finals under his belt, he is known for his resilience and calm under scrutiny. Despite a controversial moment in a previous AFCON, he has maintained his high standards and continues to be appointed for crucial matches. .
His experience is a valuable asset in the modern game.
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