The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed a quartet of Tunisian referees, led by Sadok Selmi, to officiate the upcoming CAF Cup match between Stade Malien and Diables Noirs from Congo, scheduled for February 25 in Bamako.
In this crucial 5th-day encounter, Sadok Selmi assumes the role of the main referee, supported by his Tunisian compatriots Aymen Ismail (Assistant 1) and Mohamed Bakir (Assistant 2).
The fourth referee for the match is Mohamed Yousri Bouali, while Senegalese official Yaya Balde will oversee the proceedings.
Sadok Selmi, a well-known figure in the realm of African football officiating, particularly to the Congolese community on the opposite side of Kinshasa, is set to officiate a match that carries significance for both Stade Malien and Diables Noirs in the CAF Cup.
Selmi’s past performance in the AFCON 2023 qualifiers, where he officiated a match between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mauritania, attracted criticism from the Congolese.
Consequently, the Tunisian referee faced a three-month suspension due to refereeing errors during that encounter.
Now, as he takes charge of another high-stakes match involving a Congolese club, Selmi is poised to navigate the scrutiny that comes with such pivotal fixtures.
The upcoming clash on February 25 promises to be a test for Sadok Selmi, with the spotlight once again shining on the experienced Tunisian referee.
As the CAF Cup progresses, the appointment of Selmi and his team underscores the importance of fair officiating in African football, with expectations running high for an impartial and skillful display from the quartet on matchday.
