CAF appoints Egyptian referee for high-stakes USM Alger vs OC Safi clash

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed the appointment of an Egyptian officiating team to oversee the much-anticipated semi-final showdown between Algeria’s USM Alger and Morocco’s Olympique Safi in the CAF Confederation Cup.

According to reports from Moroccan outlet Al-Botola, the Confederation of African Football has selected Amin Omar to take charge of the first leg, which is scheduled to be played in Algeria on April 11.

He will be assisted by fellow Egyptians Mahmoud Abu El-Regal and Ahmed Hossam Taha, with Mohamed Maarouf serving as the fourth official. The Video Assistant Referee duties will be handled by Mahmoud Ashour, alongside assistant VAR official Hossam Azab.

Attention will then shift to the return leg on April 19 at the Al Massira Stadium in Morocco, where a different officiating team will be in charge.

Rwandan referee Samuel Uykunda will lead proceedings, assisted by Kenya’s Gilbert Cheruiyot and Angola’s Oliver Lopes Sanchez. Chadian referee Mohamed El Hadj Ali will act as the fourth official, while VAR responsibilities will be handled by Senegal’s Issa Sy, assisted by compatriot Gabriel Camara.

The two-legged encounter is expected to be fiercely contested, with both sides eyeing a place in the final of the competition. The winner will go on to face either Egypt’s Zamalek or Algeria’s CR Belouizdad, who are set to battle in the other semi-final.

With tensions often high in North African clashes, CAF’s choice of experienced officials underscores the importance of maintaining control and fairness in what promises to be a thrilling contest.