The Confederation of African Football has officially confirmed Mauritanian referee Dahane Beida as the centre referee for the highly anticipated Group C encounter between Nigeria and Tanzania at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The announcement adds another layer of intrigue to a fixture that already carries significant weight for both nations as they begin their continental campaign. Nigeria’s Super Eagles are widely regarded as one of the tournament favourites, while Tanzania arrive with hopes of making a strong statement against one of Africa’s traditional heavyweights.
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Beida is widely respected across the continent and beyond, having built a reputation as one of Africa’s most experienced and dependable referees. His career spans several major CAF competitions and FIFA tournaments, where he has consistently demonstrated composure, authority, and a strong grasp of the game, especially in high-pressure situations.
Born in Mauritania, Beida has long been considered one of CAF’s standout officials. He has been trusted with some of the continent’s biggest matches, including the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations between hosts Ivory Coast and Nigeria. That dramatic final ended in a 2-1 victory for the Ivorians, a result that still resonates deeply with Nigerian fans and players alike.
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His appointment for the Nigeria versus Tanzania clash underlines CAF’s intention to ensure the highest officiating standards at the tournament. Matches involving Nigeria often come with intense scrutiny and emotional stakes, making the choice of an experienced referee crucial to maintaining fairness and control.
The Group C encounter will be played at the Fes Stadium, one of Morocco’s iconic football venues. A full CAF officiating team will support Beida on the night, ensuring the match is handled with professionalism and precision.
With kickoff scheduled for 6:30 pm, football fans across Africa will be watching closely as the Super Eagles begin their AFCON 2025 journey under the watchful eye of one of the continent’s most trusted referees.
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As Nigeria and Tanzania prepare to lock horns in Fes, attention will not only be on the players but also on the man in the middle, whose decisions could shape the tone of the match and possibly the group itself.
