Paris 2024 Olympics: Kenyan among elite group of African referees to officiate in France

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Paris 2024 Olympics: Kenyan among elite group of African referees to officiate in France

Festus Chuma 10:00 - 24.07.2024

A Kenyan is among 12 African referees chosen to officiate at the 2024 Olympics in France, representing FIFA’s officiating team.

Kenya’s Stephen Yiembe is among the 12 referees selected by FIFA to officiate in the 2024 Olympics which are set to begin on Thursday in France.

Yiembe will serve as an assistant referee joining a distinguished group of officials from across Africa in what promises to be a thrilling tournament running until August 11th.

Yiembe will be joined by Ahmed Liban Abdoulrazack from Djibouti, Chikotesha Dian from Zambia, Jermoumi Fatiha from Morocco, Noupue Elvis from Cameroon, and Santos Jerson Emiliano Dos from Angola.

These assistant referees will play crucial roles in ensuring fair play and maintaining the high standards of officiating expected at such a prestigious event.

In addition to these assistant referees, three African referees will also take part: Beida Dahane from Mauritania, Ismail Mahmood Ali M from Sudan, and Karboubi Bouchra from Morocco.

Furthermore, the tournament will feature two African video assistant referees (VARs), Ashour Mahmoud from Egypt and Benbraham Lahlou from Algeria.

“We are very happy and proud to have our referees selected for the Paris Olympics,” said Ali Ahmed, head of refereeing for the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA).

FIFA has appointed a total of 21 referees, 42 assistant referees, 20 video match officials, and six support officials to oversee both the men's and women's football competitions at the Olympics.

Eleven of these officials come from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) region demonstrating the continent's significant representation in the tournament.

On the field, CAF will be well represented in the men's category by Egypt and Mali, while in the women's category, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, and Morocco will compete for two slots.

The women’s defending champions, Canada, and the two-time men’s defending champions, Brazil, who failed to qualify this year, add to the competitive spirit of the games.

The men's tournament is a U-23 competition, but teams are allowed to include three players over the age of 23.

In contrast the women's category is open to players of all ages, allowing nations to field their best talent regardless of age.

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