The change comes after the Confederation of African Football reviewed its earlier decision to appoint Omar Artan, amid growing debate and criticism surrounding officiating standards at the ongoing tournament. CAF’s move is widely viewed as an attempt to calm tensions and reinforce confidence ahead of one of the competition’s most anticipated fixtures.
Sy is not new to the tournament, having already been involved in the 2025 AFCON as a Video Assistant Referee during the group-stage match between hosts Morocco and Tanzania. His experience at the competition is expected to be crucial as both teams battle for a place in the semi-finals.
Nigeria booked their spot in the last eight with an emphatic 4–0 victory over Mozambique, showcasing their attacking strength and defensive solidity. Algeria, meanwhile, had to dig deep to overcome DR Congo 1–0 after extra time in a tightly contested round-of-16 clash.
Saturday’s match also revives memories of the 2019 AFCON semi-final, where Algeria eliminated the Super Eagles with a dramatic 2–1 win sealed by a last-gasp Riyad Mahrez free-kick.
The quarter-final showdown is scheduled to kick off at 5pm Nigerian time, with a semi-final berth on the line.