Panafrican News Agency

African match officials brace up for resumption of competitions

Cairo, Egypt (PANA) - Following discussions on the resumption of continental competitions in the not distant future, African match officials have been gearing up for the D-Day, after sporting activities were put on hold due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Continental competitions were suspended in March 2020, but match officials - Referees and Assistant Referees - have been training to maintain their fitness and stay in shape, involved in virtual courses under the supervision and guidance of the newly constituted Technical Board of Experts in collaboration with the CAF Refereeing Department.

The composition of the Technical Board of Experts is as follows;

    Celestin Ntagungira (Rwanda) – Coordinator & Central-East Zone

    Jerome Damon (South Africa) – Deputy Coordinator

    An Yan Lim Kee Chong (Mauritius) – South Zone

    Essam ElDin Abdel Fattah (Egypt) – North Zone

    Malang Diedhiou (Senegal) – West A Zone

    Noumandiez Doue (Cote d'Ivoire) – West B Zone

    Divine Evehe (Cameroon) – Central Zone

    Tempa Ndah (Benin) – Women's Representative

    Hadqa Yahya (Morocco) – VAR Support

    Neji Jouini (Tunisia) – Consultant

During a video-conference meeting on Tuesday (21 July 2020), CAF President Ahmad Ahmad, explained that the decision to constitute an independent body of experts is in line with CAF’s strategic reforms policy ‘Transform CAF 2021’, launched few months ago.

He commended the board for the tremendous work during the period of the lockdown and their commitment to raise the standard of officiating on the continent, whilst urging them to respect protocols of their respective state authorities during these unusual times to control the pandemic.

“It is important that our Referees and Assistant Referee remain in the best of shapes for the resumption of competitions. Officiating is an essential part of the game and we have work hard especially during this period to get the best personnel for our matches to project the image of the continent as well,” Ahmad said.

-0- PANA VAO 22July2020