The Confederation of African Football has selected Moroccan referee Jalal Jayed to take charge of Nigeria’s third-place playoff clash with Egypt at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The appointment was confirmed by CAF on Friday ahead of the weekend fixture.
Jayed will be supported by fellow Moroccans Zakaria Brinsi and Akarkad Mostafa as assistant referees. CAF also disclosed that Tunisia’s Hassani Khalil will serve as the third assistant referee, while Kenya’s Peter Kamaku has been designated as the fourth official for the encounter.
Video Assistant Referee duties will be handled by Algeria’s Lahlou Benbraham, who will work alongside Tunisia’s Haythem Guirat and Morocco’s Hamza El Fariq. Oversight of the officiating team will be provided by referee assessor Sinko Zelli from Côte d’Ivoire.
Nigeria are scheduled to face Egypt on Saturday, only days after their dramatic semi-final exit against hosts Morocco. That match finished scoreless after 120 minutes before the Atlas Lions edged the Super Eagles 4-2 on penalties to secure a place in the final, where they will meet Senegal’s Teranga Lions on Sunday.
The bronze-medal match represents Nigeria’s ninth appearance in a third-place playoff at the Africa Cup of Nations. The Super Eagles have an unblemished record in such games, having won all eight previous encounters, a feat unmatched in the history of the tournament.
For Nigeria, the match also carries emotional weight following their failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having lost on penalties to DR Congo in the final round of the qualifiers’ playoffs. The AFCON campaign had offered an opportunity for redemption, and the team impressed on their route to the semi-finals.
Along the way, Nigeria were ruthless in attack, netting 14 goals, including a commanding 4-0 victory over Mozambique and a convincing 2-0 win against Algeria’s Desert Foxes. Those performances underlined their attacking strength and tournament ambitions.
However, against Morocco in the semi-final, Coach Eric Chelle’s side found it difficult to impose themselves offensively. Despite that, the Super Eagles showed defensive discipline, frustrating the North Africans for much of the contest before eventually bowing out in the penalty shootout.
What you should know
Nigeria’s third-place playoff against Egypt is not just about securing a bronze medal but also about maintaining a proud AFCON tradition.
The Super Eagles have historically dominated bronze matches, reflecting their consistency at continental level. With World Cup qualification already missed, this fixture offers a chance to end the tournament on a positive note and reinforce confidence heading into future competitions.
The appointment of an experienced CAF officiating team is expected to ensure a tightly controlled match as two African heavyweights battle for consolation honours.
