In the world of African football, the African Cup of Nations qualifiers are always a crucial moment. And the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has just unveiled the Moroccan referee trio who will officiate during the match between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sudan, scheduled for September 9.
Referee Mostafa Akarkad will be on the whistle for this match, accompanied by Zakaria Brinsi as assistant referee 1 and Karim Sabri as assistant referee 2. An experienced team which will have to ensure the smooth running of the match and compliance with the rules.
In addition to the referee team, other Congolese officials will be present during this meeting. Jean-Médard Kossa will be the match commissioner, while Jean-Pierre Bungu will be the doctor in charge of ensuring the implementation of health measures related to COVID-19.
This match is of paramount importance for the DRC, who currently sit first in Group I with 9 points. Recently, the Confederation of African Football inflicted a defeat by forfeit on Mauritania, following the use of an ineligible player in the second leg against the DRC Leopards. This decision allowed the DRC to take a comfortable lead in the group, but nothing is decided yet, as Gabon and Sudan are also in contention, with 7 and 6 points respectively.
Beyond this specific match, CAF has also appointed Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala to officiate the Niger-Uganda match, while another Congolese official will be commissioner for the match between Cameroon and Burundi. Recognition for the talent and experience of Congolese referees in African football.
In conclusion, the appointment of the Moroccan referee trio for the match between the DRC and Sudan confirms the importance of this meeting in the context of the CAN 2023 qualifiers. Congolese officials will have the heavy responsibility of enforcing the rules of the game and to ensure a fair encounter. It’s up to them to show their expertise and impartiality to guide these teams towards the coveted qualification