Algerian referee Mustapha Ghorbal has been appointed to take charge of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying meeting between Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, with the experienced official set to oversee one of the most anticipated fixtures in the qualifying campaign.
Ghorbal will be joined by compatriots Abbes Akram Zerhouni and Mokrane Gourari, who have been selected as assistant referees. Loutfi Bekouassa will complete the Algerian officiating team as fourth official.
The appointment places one of Africa’s most experienced referees at the centre of a significant West African contest, with both Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire competing for a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Ghorbal has been a FIFA international referee since 2014 and has officiated a number of major matches on the continent. His experience includes games involving some of Africa’s leading national teams and clubs, while his latest appointment further underlines his standing among the leading officials in African football.
The Algerian is also among the African referees selected to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament selection adds to his record of involvement in high-profile international fixtures.
Ghorbal has previously taken charge of matches involving Cote d’Ivoire. At the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, he was the referee for the Elephants’ 1-1 draw with Cameroon.
He later officiated Cote d’Ivoire’s quarter-final against Egypt at the same tournament, giving him further experience of managing matches involving the Ivorian side at a major continental competition.
His assistants for the Ghana fixture, Mokrane Gourari and Abbes Akram Zerhouni, have also been selected as part of the group of African match officials for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their inclusion means the officiating team appointed for this qualifier brings considerable international experience.
With the referee appointments now confirmed, focus will turn to the match itself. Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire are preparing for a crucial encounter as they seek to strengthen their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The fixture is expected to attract significant attention because of the importance of the qualifying campaign and the prominence of the two West African teams. Ghorbal’s role will be to manage the contest alongside Zerhouni, Gourari and Bekouassa as the sides pursue a place at the next edition of the continental tournament.
