The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has named Moroccan referee Redouane Jiyed as centre referee for this evening’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) round of 16 clash between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, www.aclsports.com reports.
Jiyed, 44, has been assigned to take charge of his second game in this year’s competition after officiating Senegal’s opening 3-0 thumping of neighbours The Gambia during which youngster Lamine Camara scored twice.
Jiyed who became a FIFA referee in 2009, at a young age of 29 has a rich history of bringing Nigeria’s Super Eagles good fortune anytime he handles games involving them.
Jiyed and today’s first Assistant Referee Lahsine Azgaou were on duty in same capacity when the Super Eagles beat the Bafana Bafana of South Africa 2-1 in an AFCON quarter-final game in Cairo, Egypt in July 2019. The second Assistant Referee on that day, Mostafa Akarkad is the reserve Assistant Referee for today’s game.
Jiyed, Azgaou and Akarkad were also in charge when Nigeria defeated Benin Republic 1-0 in Porto Novo in an AFCON qualifier on March 27, 2021. Paul Onuachu who came off the bench to score the winner in that game will also be on the bench for Nigeria today.
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Jiyed and his crew were then in charge of Nigeria’s 2022 FIFA World Cup final qualification round first leg match between the Super Eagles and the Black Stars of Ghana at the Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi on March 25, 2022. The game ended 0-0 before Nigeria lost out in the return leg through the away goals rule.
In a related development, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for the Nigeria/ Cameroon clash is Samir Guezzaz, also from Morocco. Young Guezzaz who is officiating in his first AFCON will be on duty twenty years after his Dad Mohammed, took charge of Nigeria’s 2-1 win over today’s opponent Cameroon at the quarter final stage of the Tunisia 2004 tournament.
Nigeria vs Cameroon is billed to hold at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan starting from 8pm local time (9pm Nigerian time), tonight.
Fisayo Dairo, reporting from Abidjan
