The Confederation of African Football (CAF) have appointed Nigerian referees for the 2018/19 CAF Confederation Cup playoff game between Ugandan side Vipers SC and Tunisian side CS Sfaxien in Uganda next week with Basheer Salisu named as centre referee.
28-year old Salisu has seen his stock continuing to rise after recent international appearances and the FIFA badge referee will officiate his first Confederation Cup game of the season at the St Mary’s Stadium in Kampala, the capital city of Ugandan on Saturday, January 12, 2018.
Salisu will be assisted by two other Nigerians in Kampala. Isah Usman will serve as the first assistant referee while Peter Ogwu will be the second assistant referee. The match is the first leg encounter of the playoff round of the Confederation Cup in which winners over the two legs will advance to the group stage of the competition.
The Kano-born arbiter had earlier officiated a CAF Champions League game involving Nkana FC of Zambia and Simba SC of Tanzania in Kitwe, Zambia last month. The game ended in a 2-1 win for the hosts with Salisu justifiably awarding a penalty kick for the visiting team which was converted by John Bocco in the 75th minute.
Salisu was the centre referee when a Super Eagles B side played against Spanish giants Atletico Madrid in an exhibition game at the Nest of Champions in Uyo last year May. He was also at the centre of proceedings when Lobi Stars defeated Rangers in the NFF Super Cup in Asaba last November.
Nigeria’s representatives in the Confederation Cup, Rangers International will also be in action that same weekend when they face Lesotho side Bantu FC in their first leg clash at the Setsoto Stadium in Maseru. Madagascan referees have been assigned for the tie by CAF.
