By Suleiman Mbatiah
Kenyan referee Stephen Yiembe will be part of the officiating team for tonight’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between hosts Morocco and Senegal in Rabat, Morocco.
Yiembe is among the nine match officials appointed for the high-stakes clash, which will bring the curtain down on the AFCON 2025 tournament.
He will serve as a video assistant referee at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, capping a strong showing by Kenyan officials at the continental showpiece.
The final will be handled on the pitch by Congolese referee Jean Jacques Ngambo Ndala, assisted by Guylain Bongele Ngila and Gradel Mwanya Mbilizi. Guinean official Styven Moutsassasi Moyo will act as the fourth official.
South Africa’s Abongile Tom will lead the VAR team, assisted by Yiembe, Pierre Atcho of Gabon and Leticcia Viana.
Yiembe was one of four Kenyan referees selected for the tournament, alongside Peter Waweru Kamaku, Dickens Mimisa and Gilbert Cheruiyot.
He has been involved in several key matches, including group stage fixtures featuring Angola against South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The Kenyan official also served as an assistant referee in the Round of 16 match where Cameroon eliminated South Africa, and later took VAR duties in the semi-final between Nigeria and Morocco.
The final will kick off at 10pm EAT at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Morocco are chasing a second AFCON title, and their first since 1976, with the added pressure of playing in front of a home crowd.
Senegal, champions in 2021, are aiming to reclaim the trophy and lift it for the second time in their history.
Despite meeting 31 times in international football, this will be the first time the two sides face each other in an AFCON final.
Morocco hold the historical edge, with 18 wins against Senegal’s six, while seven matches have ended in draws. Senegal’s last victory over Morocco came in a 2012 friendly.
Morocco reached the final unbeaten. They topped their group with wins over Tanzania and Zambia and a draw with Mali.
The hosts then edged Tanzania in the Round of 16, beat Cameroon 2–0 in the quarter-finals, and eliminated Nigeria on penalties after a goalless semi-final draw.
Senegal also remain unbeaten. They led their group after wins against Benin and Sudan and a draw with DR Congo.
The defending champions went on to defeat Mali in the Round of 16, Tanzania in the quarter-finals and edged Egypt 1–0 in the semi-finals.
Morocco’s Brahim Díaz heads into the final as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals.
His closest challengers, Victor Osimhen and Mohamed Salah, are both on four goals but will not feature in the final.
Senegal captain Sadio Mané has scored twice, including the decisive goal against Egypt in the semi-final.
The match will be broadcast live across sub-Saharan Africa on SuperSport, the official CAF rights holder.
Viewers can follow the final on DStv and GOtv, as well as on SuperSport’s digital platforms with an active subscription.