24 referees selected for U-17 AFCON zonal qualifiers in Ethiopia
Ali Ahmed, CECAFA’s Head of Refereeing, said the officials were carefully chosen from across the region following a thorough selection and preparation process.
With just two days to go before kick-off, the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) has confirmed a list of twenty-four referees who will officiate at the CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers for the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ethiopia.
The tournament is scheduled to run from November 15 to December 2, 2025, with matches taking place in Dire Dawa and Addis Ababa.
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Ali Ahmed, CECAFA’s Head of Refereeing, said the officials were carefully chosen from across the region following a thorough selection and preparation process.
“They have undergone physical tests and a pre-competition course since arriving in Addis Ababa, and are ready to start officiating matches,” said Ali.
Somalia will take on South Sudan in the opening match at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa in Group A. Later that day, Rwanda will face hosts Ethiopia in the second fixture of the group.
Over in Dire Dawa, Tanzania will open their Group B campaign against Sudan, before Burundi lock horns with defending champions Uganda in the second encounter of the day.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, with the losing sides battling for the bronze medal, while the winners meet in the final. The champions, first runners-up, and second runners-up will earn the right to represent the CECAFA Zone at the AFCON 2026.
List of match officials
Referees (Men):
Bertnard Amnirakiza (Burundi), William Oloya (Uganda), Hassan Hagi Abdullahi (Somalia), Solomon Okwera (South Sudan), Ramadhan Kayoko (Tanzania), Kelvin Maina (Kenya), Elsayed Mohamed Ismail Amro (Sudan), Celestin Nsabimana (Rwanda), Said Isamail (Djibouti), Ephrem Debele (Ethiopia), Herve Nduwayo (Burundi), Brianson Musisi (Uganda), Nelson Baeina (South Sudan), Kassim Mpanga (Tanzania), Boniface Karanja (Kenya), Ali Eid Adam (Somalia), Mustefa Meki (Ethiopia), Emmanuel Habumugisha (Rwanda), Ahmed Abdulgabi Abubakar (Sudan), Rachid Waiss (Djibouti).
Referees (Women):
Raya Sesay (Ethiopia), Diana Murungi (Uganda), Zahra Ali Guma (Sudan), Sandrine Murangwa (Rwanda).
Instructors:
Moses Osano (Kenya), Wiish Yeberow (Somalia), Israel Mujuni (Tanzania), Bernard Nfubusa (Burundi), Alemu Gizate, and Alemeyaw Ashenafi (Ethiopia).
Groupings
Group A: Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan, Rwanda
Group B: Uganda, Tanzania, Djibouti, Sudan, Burundi
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