By Denis Turyahebwa
Uganda cranes crashed out early in the group stages of the ongoing CHAN 2021 tournament with one point earned against the neighbours Rwanda in Morroco and finished last in the group.
However, that has not stopped the neighbours Kenya from achieving a great milestone in the tournament as the Kenyan referee Peter Waweru will be the centre referee as defending champions Morocco take on Mali in the final of the African Nations Championship at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde this Sunday evening.
Carine Atezambong Fomo will be the second assistant referee while Alioum Alioum will be the fourth official.
This will be the first major final the Jomo Kenyatta University lecturer will be officiating and his second in the CHAN competition after overseeing Mali eliminating Congo in the quarter-final played at the same venue.
He will be assisted by another Kenyan in Gilbert Cheruiyot who will serve as the first assistant referee. Just like Waweru, Cheruiyot served in the same capacity as the Eagles of Mali eliminated the Red Devils in the last eight which is a big motivation for Kenyan referees and an achievement to the Kenyan football.
The Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will be Bamlak Tessema Weyesa of Ethiopia, Zambian Janny Sikazwe and Elvis Guy Noupue Nguegoue of Cameroon.
The defending Champions Morocco reached the final on February 3 after a comfortable 4-0 win over hosts Cameroon thanks to Soufiane Rahimi’s brace and other two goals from Soufiane Bouftini and Mohammed Ali Bemammer. While Mali advanced to the finals after a 5-4 win in a penalty shootout over Guinea following a goalless draw in the 90 and extra time at Japoma Stadium in Douala.
Elsewhere, Guinea secured the third place on Saturday after triumphing over the hosts Cameroon 2-0 at Stade de la Reunification courtesy of goals from Morlaye Sylla 9th minute and Mamadouba Bangoura before the break.
