Algerian referee Mustapha Ghorbal has been appointed to officiate the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clash between Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.
Ghorbal will be supported by compatriots Abbes Akram Zerhouni and Mokrane Gourari as assistant referees, while Loutfi Bekouassa will serve as the fourth official.
The appointment brings one of Africa’s most experienced match officials to the centre of the highly anticipated West African encounter.
Ghorbal, who became a FIFA international referee in 2014, has handled several major continental matches and is among the African referees selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
He also has previous experience officiating matches involving Côte d’Ivoire. He was the referee when the Elephants drew 1-1 with Cameroon at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations before later taking charge of Côte d’Ivoire’s quarter-final against Egypt.
His two assistants, Gourari and Zerhouni, are also members of the group of African officials selected for the 2026 World Cup.
With the officiating team now confirmed, attention will shift to the encounter itself as Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire prepare for a crucial fixture in their bid to secure qualification for the 2027 AFCON tournament.
