Young Ref, Big Stakes: Morocco vs Mali in AFCON 2025

Match officials and context

Fortunes favor the hosts.

The Cameroonian referee Abdou Mfier will oversee Morocco's Atlas Lions' second game in AFCON 2025, set for Friday against Mali, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, according to CAF. Expect a tense duel.

He previously refereed the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations for Local Players (CHAN) final, which Morocco won 3-2 over Madagascar, at Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi, last August, recently.

Youngest referee and the road ahead

At only 29, Mfier is the youngest referee in AFCON's 35th edition, hosted in Morocco this year alone.

And after their opening 2-0 win over the Comoros, the Atlas Lions aim for a second straight victory to seal a spot in the knockout stage, facing Mali, who drew 1-1 with Zambia in the group stage opener on Friday.

Punchline 1: Age is just a number—this 29-year-old referee just turned whistle-waving into a full-time gig.

Punchline 2: If football had a stand-up act, Abdou Mfier would headline—his calls have timing sharper than my afternoon naps.