Somali President and Prime Minister hail Omar Artan’s CAF Best Male Referee award

Mogadishu — Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been named the CAF Best Male Referee for 2025, a landmark honor announced Wednesday evening at a ceremony at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Rabat, Morocco. The award marks a historic breakthrough for Somali football and its match officials, drawing swift congratulations from the nation’s top leadership.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called the accolade “historic” and said Artan’s rise reflects the talent and professionalism of a new generation of Somali officials competing on the sport’s biggest stages.

“Referee Omar is a symbol of the talent, determination, and high-level professional skills of our youth. He has succeeded in elevating the name of the Somali nation in general and the youth in particular, representing them honourably in international arenas. This historic victory is well deserved,” the president said.

Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre praised Artan’s success as a national milestone and a powerful example for young Somalis aspiring to a career in the game.

“It is a great achievement for the Somali nation wherever it is, demonstrating the talent and ingenuity of the Somali person. Omar is a good example and role model for our youth, and I commend him for the efforts he has put into his career, which have brought honour to the nation,” the prime minister said.

Artan topped the continent’s refereeing category following a year in which he officiated several high-profile matches, according to the award announcement. Nabadda from Uganda received the CAF Best Female Referee award.

The recognition caps a soaring trajectory for Artan, who has already made history as the first Somali referee selected for a FIFA World Cup tournament. He is among only three center referees chosen from Africa—and the sole representative from Sub-Saharan Africa—appointed to officiate at the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025.

For Somalia, Artan’s ascent resonates beyond a personal triumph. Refereeing is often a path defined by years of training, rigorous evaluations, and relentless scrutiny. The CAF award is a signal that Somali officials are meeting and exceeding the game’s exacting standards on the continental stage, where decisive split-second judgments and impeccable game management set elite referees apart.

In practical terms, the honor enhances Somali football’s visibility across Africa’s top competitions and provides a blueprint for development: invest in training, protect pathways for promising officials, and empower local referees with opportunities to grow. Artan’s example underscores how consistency and professionalism can open doors to global assignments, from major youth tournaments to senior international matches.

It is also a reminder that the referee’s craft is about more than enforcing the laws of the game. At the highest levels, referees are arbiters of tempo and tone, tasked with reading the rhythm of a match, communicating clearly with players and coaches, and maintaining authority without overshadowing the spectacle. Artan’s selection for the U-20 World Cup and his recognition by CAF signal confidence in his ability to deliver that balance under pressure.

Somali officials and supporters celebrated the award as affirmation that the country’s football ecosystem—players, coaches, and match officials—can reach continental standards. As Artan prepares for the year ahead, he carries the hopes of a football-loving nation into a global spotlight, where his performance will be watched by aspiring officials across East Africa and beyond.

Wednesday’s ceremony in Rabat placed Artan among Africa’s standout figures in the game. For Somalia, it is a proud moment in an arena where recognition is earned one decision, one assignment, one match at a time. The message, from the presidency to the premiership to fans at home, was uniform: the whistle in Artan’s hand now echoes far beyond the pitch.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.