Luanda: Angolan assistant referee Jerson Emiliano debuted on Sunday in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, joining the refereeing team for the second match of Group F between Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire.

According to Angola Press News Agency, the match concluded in a 1-1 draw. This outcome keeps both teams at the top of the group, each with four points. They are followed by Mozambique with three points, while Gabon, without any points, is already out of the competition, although it will play its remaining matches in the next round.

Jerson Emiliano, aged 41, was present at the last edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in January 2024 in Côte d’Ivoire. He was part of the trio that refereed the final match, which was won by the hosts with a 2-1 victory over Nigeria. This marks the eighth time that Emiliano has participated in the final phase of the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) biggest competition. He has been appointed to the refereeing team for the tournament final on three occasions.

The complete re
fereeing team for the current match included Mustapha Ghorbal from Algeria as the main referee, Mahmoud Ahmed Abouelregal from Egypt as the first assistant referee, Jerson Emiliano dos Santos from Angola as the second assistant referee, and Mohamed Maarouf Eid Mansour from Egypt as the fourth official. The VAR (Video Assistant Referee) was Dahane Beida from Mauritania, with Brahamou Sadou Ali from Niger serving as the AVAR (Assistant VAR).