Gabonese referee Pierre Ghislain has been appointed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to officiate the highly anticipated CAF Champions League group stage match between Djoliba AC and Espérance de Tunis on Sunday, January 12.
The match will take place at the 26 March Stadium in Bamako, Mali, with a scheduled kick-off at 16:00 GMT.
This encounter is a crucial one for both teams, as they are positioned at opposite ends of the group standings in Group D.
Espérance de Tunis, one of Africa’s most successful clubs, currently sits as co-leaders of the group alongside Pyramids FC.
With a strong campaign underway, the Tunisian side will be aiming for a win to solidify its top spot and maintain momentum heading into the final stages of the group phase.
On the other hand, Djoliba AC finds itself in a much more challenging position, sitting at the bottom of the table with only two points from four matches.
The Malian club desperately needs a victory to keep their hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds alive.
A loss or draw could effectively end their campaign, making this match a do-or-die affair for the hosts.
Ghislain, 39, is tasked with ensuring the match is officiated fairly and without controversy.
Given the high stakes for both teams, his role is vital in ensuring the game runs smoothly and according to the rules.
The Gabonese referee, known for his experience in African competitions, will be under scrutiny as both sides will demand precision in decision-making.
For Djoliba AC, the clash against a team of Espérance de Tunis’ caliber presents a daunting challenge.
However, with the support of their home crowd and the urgency of their situation, they will be determined to pull off an upset and secure a valuable three points.
Meanwhile, Espérance de Tunis will look to assert their dominance and edge closer to qualification for the next phase of the tournament.
With both teams focused on the all-important win, the match promises to be an exciting and hard-fought contest.
As the 2024-2025 CAF Champions League group stage continues, Pierre Ghislain’s officiating will be critical in shaping the outcome of this pivotal encounter.
