WCQ: CAF Names Africas Finest Ref For Nigeria-Algeria Clash

Africas best referee for the past two years, Bakary Papa Gassama from Gambia will be in charge of next months World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Algeria in Uyo.Gassama, 37, and who has been an international referee since 2008, is one of the most respected referees in Africa. He has already been appointed as referee for this years CAF Champions League final, second leg clash between Zamalek of Egypt and Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, taking place in Alexandria on Sunday, 23rd October.Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has won a protest it quietly launched following the release of the official match appointment, which set the kick off time at 5.30pm.The information we sent to FIFA was that we wanted the match to start at 5pm; we were surprised when the match appointment was released and the kick off time was set at 5.30pm. The NFF immediately protested and eventually, on Wednesday morning, FIFA agreed that the match will start at 5pm, NFFs director of competitions, Bola Oyeyode, disclosed.Next months Russia 2018 qualifier between two of the fiercest rivals in African football will see Jean-Claude Birumushahu from Burundi as assistant referee 1, Marwa Range from Kenya as assistant referee 2 and Gassamas compatriot, Maudo Jallow as fourth official.FIFA have also appointed Jean-Olivier Mbera from Gabon as referee assessor, Ghanaian Anthony Baffoe as match commissioner and Nicholas Chumba Musonye from Kenya as security officer.
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