Referee Abongile Tom is the only South African selected to officiate at the 2023 African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals in Algeria.
FARPost has seen the final list which CAF has released for the match officials ahead of next month’s tournament.
The list comprises 19 referees, including Abongile Tom, 21 assistant referees and 12 video assistant referees.
The officiating personnel has been drawn from CAF’s 32-member nations, with Abongile Tom set to fly South Africa’s flag in Algeria.
The 31-year-old Abongile Tom’s career has been on the upward trajectory.
He handles local and international high-profile matches.
CAF SPEAKS OUT ON COMPOSITION OF OFFICIATING CREW
In a statement, CAF Head of Refeering, Désiré Noumandiez Doué, said they have balanced the gender equation on the shortlist.
“In keeping with its policy of promoting women’s refereeing, CAF has appointed three women match officials,” he said.
“Referee Vincentia E. Amedone (Togo) and assistant referees Carine Atezambong Fomo (Cameroon) and Diane Chikotesha (Zambia).”
Doué said the officiation team also blends youth with experience to prepare the next generation of referees.
“CHAN is a global competition and a great platform for our match officials. As we start a new World Cup cycle, this gives us an opportunity to build.
“We have AFCON—both men and women in 2024—and a number of competitions under this cycle. I’m particularly pleased to see more women joining the bigger group,” Doue said.
HOLDERS MOROCCO THREATEN TO SHUN CHAN
CAF rescheduled CHAN by a year from 2022 to January 13 to February 4 2023.
The competition is exclusive for home-based players in African countries.
The tournament will take place in Algerian cities of Algiers, Constantine, Oran and Annaba.
Algeria and Libya will meet in the CHAN opener on January 13 2023 at 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT) at Stade de Baraki in Algiers.
Meanwhile, holders Morocco have threatened to shun CHAN unless assured of a direct flight from Rabat to Constantine.
Algeria and Morocco are at loggerheads hence the lack of the direct flights between them since last year.
2023 CHAN GROUPS
Group A: Algeria, Libya, Ethiopia, Mozambique.
Group B: DR Congo, Uganda, Ivory Coast, Senegal.
Group C: Morocco, Sudan, Madagascar, Ghana.
Group D: Mali, Angola, Mauritania.
Group E: Cameroon, Congo, Niger.
RELATED STORY: Mozambique coach Conde expresses readiness for CHAN
