CAF has appointed Gabonese referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho to officiate Algeria – Togo on 14 November in Tizi-Ouzou. In Algeria, the memory of his role as VAR during the 2025 AFCON quarter-final defeat to Nigeria (0-2) remains vivid.
The Confederation of African Football has made its decision: Gabonese FIFA international referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho will take charge of Algeria – Togo, the 2027 AFCON qualifier scheduled for 14 November 2026 in Tizi-Ouzou. The appointment was confirmed by CAF and reported by Afrik-Foot.
For Atcho’s name stirs painful memories among the Fennecs: he served as VAR referee during the 2025 AFCON quarter-final, lost 0-2 to Nigeria. His appointment is sparking controversy in Algeria.
Two compatriots alongside Atcho
Atcho will be assisted by his Gabonese compatriots Boris Marlaise Ditsoga and Amos Abeigne Ndong, both assistant referees. Cregue Fleury Moukagni will serve as fourth official, according to Afrik-Foot.
The match will be played at the Hocine Aït Ahmed stadium in Tizi-Ouzou on 14 November 2026 at 20:00 local time. Three days later, on 17 November, the two national teams will meet again in Lomé for the return leg.
The memory of Nigeria
In Algeria, the controversy centres on the referee’s recent past. During the 2025 AFCON quarter-final, lost 0-2 to Nigeria, Atcho was the VAR official. In that match, a contentious penalty for a handball by Semi Ajayi from a Farès Chaïbi cross was not flagged to central referee Issa Sy, Afrik-Foot recalls.
The matter does not end there: the Gabonese official had also caused controversy among Moroccan clubs during the CAF Cup semi-finals and return leg of the final, again according to Afrik-Foot. Two episodes that are fuelling the controversy in Algeria.
Four points against three
On the sporting front, the stakes go beyond the refereeing question alone. Algeria have four points in this group, against three for Togo. This clash is decisive for securing the top qualifying spot for the 2027 AFCON, hosted in East Africa.
The Fennecs will be able to welcome back Zidane Mebarakou and Rafik Belghali from suspension for this occasion, Afrik-Foot reports.