As the Africa Cup of Nations edges closer to its decisive quarter-final stage, tension is reportedly rising not just on the pitch, but behind the scenes within CAF’s referees committee.

According to reports, internal unrest has led to delays in the appointment of match officials for the upcoming knockout fixtures. Several senior figures within the refereeing body are said to have raised serious concerns over the standard of officiating at the tournament so far, with a series of controversial decisions igniting debate among fans, pundits, and participating teams.

The situation has been further complicated by a separate incident involving a high-profile referee who now faces the possibility of being sidelined. The official is reportedly under scrutiny for wearing boots from a brand not aligned with CAF’s official sponsorship agreements, a move that has intensified perceptions of friction, strict rule enforcement, and discord within the refereeing ranks.

With AFCON now entering its most critical phase, the uncertainty surrounding referee appointments has become a major talking point, adding another layer of intrigue and tension to an already dramatic tournament.

As the quarter-finals draw closer, Africa Top Sports will continue to follow developments closely and provide timely updates as the situation unfolds.