CAF has today released the list of the selected match officials for the TotalEnergies U-20 African Cup of Nations ahead of Sunday Kick-off.
A list of names consisting 16 referees, 18 assistant referees and six video assistant referees (VAR) has been released by CAF – all individuals who will form part of the match officials team during the TotalEnergies U20 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for 19 February to 11 March 2023 in Egypt.
The match officials are from 30 different countries.The list has a strong bias towards younger match officials – a deliberate act by CAF and something in line with CAF’s commitment to develop world class referees in Africa in the near future.
The CAF Referees department has also integrated some African match officials selected for FIFA global events – to use the competition as preparation phase ahead of their assignments.
They includes two women referees: South Africa’s Akhona Makalina and Morocco’s Bouchra Karboubi, women assistant referees Jermoumi Fatiha, Hamdi Soukaina from Morocco, Mali’s Fanta Idrissa Kone and Egypt’s Yara Atef.
Head of CAF Refereeing Department at CAF, Désiré Noumandiez Doué said:
“We are fully committed to changing the image of refereeing on the continent and for that we are banking on the youth. In this group we have the future of Africa.”
Flying Eagles of Nigeria qualified for TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2023 by virtue of emerging Champions at WAFU B U-20 regional tournament in May 2022 in Niger.
In the process of team’s qualification, the Nigeria U-20 men’s team defeated 2021 AFCON cup holders, Ghana 2-0 , Cote’d Ivore 2-1 in the semi final and Benin Republic 3-1 on final day to be crowned WAFU B regional champions.
The seven-time champions have been drawn against hosts Egypt, Senegal and Mozambique in Group A.
The TotalEnergies U20 Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled between Sunday 19 February to 11 March 2023.
Twelve (12) nations are taking part in this 23rd edition: Egypt, Senegal, Nigeria, Mozambique, Uganda, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Congo, The Gambia, Tunisia, Benin and Zambia.
The teams that reach the semi-finals will automatically qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup-Indonesia from 20 May to 11 June 2023.
See full list of match officials on CAF official website : https://www.cafonline.com/total-u20-africa-cup-of-nations/2023/news/list-of-match-officials-for-totalenergies-u20-africa-cup-of-nations-egypt-2023-a
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