Algerian referee Lotfi Bekouassa has been appointed to officiate the opening match of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024, featuring hosts Tanzania and Burkina Faso.
The curtain-raiser is scheduled for Saturday, 2 August, at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam, with kickoff set for 20:00 local time (17:00 GMT).
This encounter marks the start of the eighth edition of CHAN, a tournament dedicated exclusively to players competing in their home leagues.
For the first time in history, the competition will be jointly hosted by three nations—Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda—under the theme “PAMOJA,” meaning “together” in Swahili.
Bekouassa, 38, is a seasoned match official from Algiers with more than a decade of refereeing experience.
A FIFA-listed referee since 2016, he made his professional league debut in March 2014 and is known for his calm demeanor, consistency, and effective game management. Outside of football, he works as a teacher.
Supporting Bekouassa on matchday will be fellow Algerian Adel Abane as Assistant Referee I and Morocco’s Hamza Nassiri as Assistant Referee II.
Houssam Benyahia, also from Algeria, has been appointed as the Fourth Official. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team will be led by Algeria’s Lahlou Benbraham, with South Africa’s Akhona Makalima serving as the Assistant VAR.
Their appointments underscore CAF’s commitment to top-tier officiating and the continued integration of VAR technology in African football.
The opening clash between Tanzania and Burkina Faso is among the most eagerly anticipated fixtures of the group stage.
With home advantage and a vibrant local crowd behind them, Tanzania will aim for a strong start, while Burkina Faso will be looking to make a bold early impression.
The 2024 CHAN tournament brings together 19 national teams from across the continent, all composed exclusively of players active in their domestic leagues.
For Bekouassa, leading the officiating team in the opener is another milestone in a distinguished refereeing career, with more high-stakes matches expected as the tournament progresses.
Algeria’s Lotfi Bekouassa To Officiate CHAN 2024 Opener Between Tanzania And Burkina Faso
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