CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe has signaled an “uncompromising determination” to overhaul the continent’s refereeing framework, placing Olivier Safari Kabeni’s role at the heart of the reform.
The proposed dismissal of the Referees Committee head coincides with plans to strengthen VAR technology and review the CAF Disciplinary Code.
Technical observers have noted a disconnect between the committee’s leadership and the modern demands of high-stakes officiating.
Should a new head be appointed, the immediate priority will be the recruitment of an expert Technical Director and the implementation of more rigorous performance evaluations.
This restructuring is vital as the continent prepares for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, where the margins for error are non-existent.