The African Football Confederation’s Referees Committee has selected South African referee Tom Abongile to officiate the upcoming match between Egypt and the Democratic Republic of Congo, scheduled for next Sunday at 10 PM.
A reliable source within the CAF Referees Committee confirmed that South African referee Tom Abongile will be in charge of the match, assisted by Ghanaian Daniel Laryea in the VAR room.
Key Information about Referee Tom Abongile:
– Age and Profession:
Tom Abongile, 31 years old, serves as a police officer in South Africa.
– Previous Officiating Roles:
Abongile has previously officiated in the local African Nations Championship in Algeria and the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations in Morocco.
– International Experience:
He officiated in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina in May and June.
– Controversial Suspension:
Reports from South African media, specifically “SuperSport,” indicate that Abongile has been suspended from officiating local matches since the beginning of the season due to errors in a Premier Division match between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns.
– Controversial Match:
Abongile stirred controversy in the Algeria vs. Burkina Faso match, with the “Desert Warriors” filing an official complaint against him.
– Previous AFCON Matches:
He officiated the Nigeria vs. Equatorial Guinea match in Group A, which ended in a positive draw between the two teams. He is now gearing up to referee his third match in the tournament.
Notable Matches Officiated:
– During the current season, Abongile has officiated in four matches in the CAF Champions League, two in the Africa Cup of Nations, and one in the World Cup qualifiers, along with an African league fixture.
– He officiated a match involving Zamalek in the current season, where they faced SwaR of Guinea in the Confederation Cup, resulting in a resounding 4-0 victory for the “White Knights.”
As the football world turns its attention to this high-stakes match between Egypt and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Abongile’s selection as the referee adds an extra layer of intrigue, given his recent controversies and suspension from local matches.
The eyes of fans and experts alike will be closely watching the referee’s decisions on the pitch during this crucial encounter in the Africa Cup of Nations.
