The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the names of the referees chosen for the preparatory stage of the upcoming U17 Africa Cup of Nations, a key milestone ahead of the final selection of officials for the tournament set to take place in Morocco from May 13 to June 2.
A total of 22 referees have been shortlisted for the intensive training camp, where only the best will earn their spot in the definitive list for the U17 CAN in Morocco. Among them, Senegal is represented by a single official: El Hadj Amadou Sy. This selection underscores his rising prominence in African football refereeing.
a proven track record in continental competitions
El Hadj Amadou Sy, an FIFA-listed referee since 2019, has steadily climbed the ranks in Senegalese football. His journey began in local competitions, including the renowned « Navétanes » tournaments, where he officiated in youth categories before advancing to senior levels and eventually the professional league in Senegal.
His expertise has already been recognized in major continental tournaments. He officiated at the 2023 U20 Africa Cup of Nations and was part of the refereeing team for the previous U17 Africa Cup of Nations. Historically, Senegal has often fielded multiple referees or full trios at such events. This year, El Hadj Amadou Sy carries the hopes of an entire nation as he aims to secure a spot on the final list and represent Senegal at the U17 CAN in Morocco—a tournament that will also feature the Senegalese U17 national team.
countries with the most representatives
The CAF selection process has highlighted several nations with multiple referees in the running. The top represented countries include Algeria, Cameroon, the DR Congo, Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa, each contributing three officials. Other countries such as Tunisia, Mali, Nigeria, and Egypt have two referees each on the shortlist.
The final referee list for the U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco will be announced after the preparatory stage, where El Hadj Amadou Sy will compete for a prestigious role in one of Africa’s most anticipated youth football tournaments.
