AFCON 2027 qualifiers: officials for the Zambia - Togo match announced

On the second matchday of the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, Zambia’s Chipolopolo will host Togo’s Sparrowhawks. The match is scheduled for Tuesday 29 September at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola. Kick-off is at 4 pm GMT.

However, with more than a month to go before the match, the Confederation of African Football has announced the officials who will take charge. Sudanese referee Mahmood Ali Mahmood Ismail will referee the match as the centre referee.

The Sudanese official is a highly experienced referee. He has officiated at numerous major matches across the continent and on the international stage.

Mahmood Ali Mahmood Ismail frequently officiates in the CAF Champions League and the Confederation Cup. The 38-year-old Sudanese referee was at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

For the match between Zambia and Togo, Mahmood Ali Mahmood will be assisted by his compatriots Omer Hamid Mohamed Ahmed and Abobakr Abdalbagi Ahmed Abofalg. CAF has also appointed Sabri Mohamed Fadul as the fourth official for this match.