body-container-line-1
16.03.2005 Football News

Ghanaian referees make stride on the international scene

16.03.2005 LISTEN
By GNA

Accra, March 16, GNA - Ghanaian referees are gradually gaining the recognition of the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) and the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) following the invitation of five of their colleagues to officiate in World Cup qualifying matches next week.

Leading the pack of three other referees for a World Cup qualifying match between Mali and Togo in Bamako, Mali, is Accra based Justus Agbenyegah Agbeko.

This comes almost a month after referee Agbeko had officiated in the CAF Champions League match between Racing Club de Yassousam of Cameroon and Donjon Club of Benin in Doula, Cameroon on January 31.

According to information gathered by the GNA Sports, Referee Agbeko is to be assisted on the lines by Archibald Annan Lomotey and Nicholas Djomoah while William Serlom Agbovi would be the fourth referee. Other officials for the match are Tunisian, Sanchou Khaled to be the match Commissioner and Bema Dounbia from Cote d' Ivoire as the Referees Inspector.

Referee Djomoah is also on record to be among the 21 assistant referees selected by CAF for the Africa Youth Championship to be held in Benin early this year.

In a related development, referee Justice Yeboah would assist South African national, Damon Jerome in a World Cup match between Croatia and Iceland in Croatia on March 26.

Referee Yeboah's call up is likely to boost his chances of making the grade as one of the assistant referees to be selected by FIFA for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

FIFA is yet to announce the list of assistant referees to undergo training for the World Cup after it announced the referees early this year.

The Ghanaians are scheduled to depart for their respective destinations by the middle of next week for the assignments.

body-container-line