Tom To Officiate Blockbuster AFCON Match

South African referee Abongile Tom has been appointed to officiate the high-profile quarter-final clash between Mali and Senegal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Friday.

Tom will be assisted by fellow South African Zakhele Siwela as the first assistant referee, while Soura Phatsoane of Botswana will serve as the second assistant.

The 34-year-old from Cape Town was also in charge of Mali’s dramatic round-of-16 victory over Tunisia on Saturday, where he sent off Woyo Coulibaly in the 26th minute for a serious foul.

Despite being reduced to 10 men, Mali — who are yet to win from open play at this year’s AFCON — eliminated the Carthage Eagles after winning 2-1 on penalties.

Under head coach Tom Saintfiet, Mali drew all their group-stage matches to progress to the knockout rounds.

They now face a formidable Senegal side, widely regarded as one of the favourites to lift the AFCON trophy on 18 January in Morocco.

Senegal, along with Nigeria and hosts Morocco, have been among the standout teams of the tournament.

Pape Thiaw’s side booked their place in the quarter-finals with a convincing 3-1 win over Sudan and will be further strengthened by the return of captain Kalidou Coulibaly in defence.

This will be the first AFCON meeting between the two West African nations since the group stages of the 2004 tournament in Tunisia, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Mali opened the scoring in that encounter through Dramane Traoré in the 34th minute, before a Habib Beye header equalised for Senegal just before half-time.