Africa-Press – Lesotho. Fresh changes appear to be brewing within the corridors of African football governance as the Confederation of African Football reportedly prepares to relieve Olivier Safari Kabeni of his duties as President of the Referees Committee.
Sources close to the situation suggest that CAF is considering appointing a new head to oversee the continent’s refereeing affairs, a move that could signal a broader restructuring of how officiating is managed across competitions. While no official statement has yet been released, the reported decision points to dissatisfaction or a desire for renewed direction within one of the federation’s most scrutinized departments.
The Referees Committee plays a critical role in shaping standards, appointments and disciplinary processes for match officials in CAF tournaments, including flagship events such as the Africa Cup of Nations and interclub competitions. Any leadership change at that level is likely to have ripple effects, particularly at a time when officiating standards across African football continue to draw intense debate from clubs, players and supporters.
Should the move be confirmed, it would mark a significant shift in CAF’s refereeing structure, potentially ushering in reforms aimed at strengthening transparency, consistency and performance evaluation. For now, attention turns to CAF’s executive leadership and whether a formal announcement will clarify the future direction of refereeing on the continent.
