The Confederation of African Football has appointed Malian referee Boubou Traore to take charge of Nigeria’s crucial Group C encounter against Tunisia at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, underlining the importance attached to one of the tournament’s early heavyweight clashes.
Traore, born on March 3, 1989, in Mali, will officiate the highly anticipated showdown scheduled for Saturday at the Complexe Sportif de Fès. With both teams level on points after impressive opening victories, CAF’s decision to hand the fixture to an experienced official reflects the high stakes surrounding the match.
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Although Traore has never refereed a senior Super Eagles match, he is not unfamiliar with Nigerian teams on the continental stage. He previously officiated Nigeria at youth levels, including the Under 20 and Under 23 competitions. In 2019, Nigeria recorded a victory over Niger with Traore in charge at the Under 20 level, while his Under 23 assignment involving Nigeria ended in a goalless draw against South Africa. These experiences have given him valuable exposure to Nigerian football’s intensity and competitive edge.
At 34, Traore is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most trusted referees, having handled several high-profile matches across CAF competitions in recent years. His calm authority, strong game management, and familiarity with pressure situations have earned him consistent appointments on the continental circuit. For Nigeria and Tunisia, two sides known for tactical discipline and physical battles, his presence will be crucial in maintaining control and fairness.
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CAF has further strengthened the officiating crew by naming Senegal’s Issa Sy as the Video Assistant Referee for the fixture. Sy is a highly respected official with experience across major African tournaments and international competitions, providing an additional layer of assurance for a match that could significantly shape Group C.
Both Nigeria and Tunisia come into the clash with confidence. The Super Eagles opened their campaign with a solid victory over Tanzania, while Tunisia edged past Uganda to get their tournament underway. With three points apiece, another win would place either side firmly on course for qualification to the Round of 16, reducing pressure ahead of the final group game.
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For the Super Eagles, the appointment of Traore adds another subplot to an already intriguing contest. As Nigeria aim to assert their dominance and Tunisia seek to reaffirm their pedigree as perennial AFCON contenders, all eyes will be on the referee to ensure the game lives up to its billing without controversy.
