Who is Stephen Yiembe?

Who is Stephen Yiembe? Official VAR Referee In AFCON Final

Sportsdunia Desk

Published - Jan 18, 2026, 08:05 PM

3 min

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AFCON

Summary

Stephen Yiembe will serve as the Assistant Video Assistant referee (AVAR) in the AFCON 2025-26 final between Morocco and Senegal.
The Kenyan official's resume includes officiating in the 2024 Paris Olympics and the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
Stephen Yiembe, in the AFCON final, highlights the growing quality and recognition of East African referees.

As the football world turns its eyes to Rabat for the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Stephen Yiembe, a Kenyan official from Nakuru, is making headlines alongside the continental giants. Stephen Yiembe has been appointed as a key member of the officiating team for the highly anticipated final between hosts Morocco and Senegal on Sunday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

A Historic Appointment for Kenyan Officiating

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that Stephen Yiembe will serve as the Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 (AVAR 2) for the AFCON 2025 final. Stephen Yiembe, in the AFCON final, puts him among an elite group of officials entrusted with the duties in the final of Africa's biggest footballing showpiece. He joins a talented team led by the on-pitch referee Ndala Ngambo of DR Congo and VAR official Pierre Ghislain Atcho of Gabon.

This appointment underscores Stephen Yiembe referee's consistency and expertise, especially in the high-pressure world of video assistant refereeing.

Role	Official	Country
Center Referee	Ndala Ngambo	DR Congo
Assistant Referee 1	Guylain Bongele Ngila	DR Congo
VAR	Pierre Ghislain Atcho	Gabon
Assistant VAR 1	Leticia Viana	Eswatini
Assistant VAR 2	Stephen Yiembe	Kenya

AFCON 2025-26 Final Officiating Team

Who is Stephen Yiembe?

Stephen Yiembe is a distinguished FIFA-accredited match official from Nakuru, Kenya, who has risen rapidly since starting his career in 2012. Earning his FIFA badge in 2018, Stephen Yiembe referee profile showcases his outstanding record in officiating. His resume includes the 2024 Paris Olympics, the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in the United States, the CAF Champions League Final, and the CAF Super Cup.

Why This Matters

For Kenyan football, Stephen Yiembe in AFCON final marks a proud milestone, spotlighting East Africa's referees. Considering the Senegal Vs Morocco Head To Head record, it can be said that the battle for the AFCON trophy will be exhilarating. Hence, the Stephen Yiembe referee team in the VAR booth will ensure fairness, scrutinising every tackle, goal, and penalty with precision. Since two of the best African football teams will give their all on the pitch, someone of Stephen Yiembe's calibre as an assistant VAR will aim to ensure smooth and controversy-free officiating.