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Dar es Salaam. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has assigned seasoned and authoritative referees to oversee key Caf Champions League matches featuring Tanzanian football powerhouses Young Africans Yanga and Simba SC this weekend across various locations.

Yanga will face Egyptian powerhouses Al Ahly on Saturday in a prominent Group stage game set to start at 4pm at the New Amaan Complex in Zanzibar.

Caf has assigned the match to Cameroonian central referee Antoine Max Depadoux Effa Essouma, an official who is well-known across the continent for his rigorous management of games and firm application of the Laws of the Game.

Essouma is well-known for handling high-stakes assignments, having refereed multiple Caf Champions League and Caf Confederation Cup games featuring some of Africa’s top clubs. Nevertheless, his career as a referee has also faced criticism, especially in matches involving teams from East Africa.

Tanzanian supporters clearly recall Essouma’s recent visit to the New Amaan Complex, where he refereed the Caf Confederation Cup game between Azam FC and Wydad Club Athletic from Morocco.

Azam FC suffered a 1-0 defeat in the game, with the referee’s rulings causing anger among local fans, who claimed he was biased towards the visiting Moroccan team. The game concluded with strong protests from supporters who believed key decisions were against the Tanzanian club.

Further historical records indicate that Essouma had been suspended by Caf after a disputed performance during the Caf Confederation Cup encounter between Renaissance Sportive de Berkane and Raja Club Athletic on March 3, 2019.

Caf prohibited the Cameroonian official from officiating for a period of one year during the 2019 campaign following an assessment that his conduct in the game was inadequate and below expectations.

Nevertheless, Essouma has made a comeback to Caf tournaments and keeps being given significant roles, showing the organization’s confidence in his expertise and leadership.

In the Yanga Al Ahly match, Essouma will be supported by fellow Cameroonian Rodrique Menye Mpele as the first assistant referee and Vincent Ngimdoh Nkemazen as the second assistant referee, with Yanicj Anisse Fodouop acting as the fourth official. The match commissioner is Haruna Mawanda from Uganda, and the referee assessor is Jason Joseph Damoo from Seychelles.

Meanwhile, Simba SC will play on Sunday when they face Esperance of Tunisia at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, with the match scheduled to start at 4pm. Caf has selected South African referee Luxolo Badi to officiate the game.

Badi is one of the most reliable referees in Southern Africa, boasting significant experience in Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup games. His performance demonstrates reliability, effective management of pace, and composed judgment in demanding matches.

He will be supported by Elphas Sitole and Khamusi Razwimisani, both hailing from South Africa, with Masixole Bambiso serving as the fourth official. The match commissioner is Amir Abdi Hassan of Somalia, and the referee assessor is Moses Ojwang Osano from Kenya.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.Syndigate.info).