South Africa could have three officials at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals after Jelly Chavani, Abongile Tom, and Zakhele Siwela were included in the preparation course.
All three have been selected among 101 officials participating in the course, which includes referees, video match officials (VAR), instructors, CAF staff, and committee members. The course will be held in November in Morocco.
The AFCON tournament, also hosted in Morocco, will run from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
At the previous edition, Abongile Tom and Akhona Makalima represented South Africa.
Siwela made history at the 2022 AFCON as the first assistant referee, working alongside Victor Gomes in the final, where Senegal defeated Egypt on penalties.
Tom has officiated several domestic cup finals in the PSL. He refereed the MTN8 final last season, when Orlando Pirates beat Stellenbosch 3-1 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
He was also in charge of the 2023/24 MTN8 final, again at the same venue in Durban, when Pirates overcame Mamelodi Sundowns on penalties.
It was in Durban once more where Tom officiated the Nedbank Cup final, in which TS Galaxy stunned Kaizer Chiefs.
Chavani has also taken charge of two PSL cup finals — both during the 2019/20 season. He officiated when Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Maritzburg United in the Carling Knockout at Moses Mabhida Stadium, as well as the Nedbank Cup final at Orlando Stadium, where Sundowns overcame Bloemfontein Celtic.
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