Artan, who is among the officials selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is widely respected across the continent and has built a reputation for calm authority in high-pressure matches.
Nigeria and Algeria will face off at the Stade de Marrakesh on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm Nigerian time. The fixture is a repeat of their AFCON 2019 semi-final, a night that ended in heartbreak for the Super Eagles after Algeria claimed a 2-1 win.
Away from the referee appointment, attention has also centered on Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen, who was seen in full training with the rest of the squad on Wednesday. His presence eased concerns following reports that he had threatened to leave the camp and return to his base in Turkey.
Naija News reports that Osimhen, who plays for Galatasaray, was involved in a heated exchange on the pitch with team-mate Ademola Lookman during Nigeria’s emphatic 4-0 win over Mozambique in the last-16.
A day after the incident, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) made it clear that the issue had been handled internally and insisted the squad’s focus had not shifted from the task ahead.
Those assurances appeared to ring true in training, with Osimhen part of a lively group as preparations continued for the Algeria showdown.
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/01/07/afcon-2025-qf-caf-appoints-somali-referee-omar-artan-for-nigeria-vs-algeria/