Sports
THE Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Yannick Kabanga from the Democratic Republic of Congo as referee for Saturday’s match between Nigeria and Mozambique in Ismailia.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match is a Group A fixture at the ongoing 23rd Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.
Kabanga will be supported by Styven Moyo from the Republic of Congo as assistant referee 1, Pascal Ndimunzigo from Burundi as assistant referee 2 and Moroccan Jalal Jayed as fourth official.
Justin Mumba from Zambia will be the match commissioner while Rosalie N’dah from Benin Republic will be the referee assessor.
Meanwhile, the delegation of seven-time champions Nigeria left Cairo for the 90-minute road trip to Ismailia immediately after breakfast on Friday morning, according to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Head Coach Ladan Bosso was quoted as saying the squad’s “confidence and go-go spirit” was back with the defeat of hosts Egypt on Wednesday.
He had added that he was expecting a strong performance against the southern Africans whom they confront at the 22,000-capacity Suez Canal Stadium on Saturday evening.
“The win over Egypt has kept the nerves down and the boys can now focus on playing their game —- the way we know they can play.
“We must stamp our authority on the game from the beginning as we have no idea what will happen in the match between Egypt and Senegal. Our fate is in our hands,” Bosso said.
Group leaders Senegal are walking a few inches taller around the Jewel Sport City, having amassed a maximum six points from their two matches.
They take on hosts Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium on Saturday evening.
NAN reports that both matches kick off simultaneously at 7 p.m. Egypt time (6 p.m. Nigeria time).
The Flying Eagles will welcome back Belgium-based forward Ahmed Abdullahi, who was expelled for a second bookable offence in the opening day defeat to Senegal.
Victory over Mozambique will guarantee Nigeria a place in the last eight.
It will leave them with only that quarter-final headwind to sail into the FIFA Under-20 World Cup finals taking place in Indonesia from May 20 to June 11.
Egypt with one point can still qualify if they defeat Senegal, but final placement in Group A, as well as the two other groups, will determine the pairings for the quarter finals.
The first-placed team in Group A will battle the third-placed team in Group B, while the second-placed team in Group A will confront the first-placed team in Group B.
Both Uganda and Congo top Group B with four points each and similar statistics, with South Sudan in third place and the Central African Republic without a point.
Tunisia, Benin Republic, Zambia and The Gambia make up Group C.
Only the two top-placed teams in each group are guaranteed a place in the last eight, alongside the best two third-placed teams.
All four semi-finalists will fly Africa’s flag in Indonesia.
–(Culled from NAN)
KN
Tags: AFCON Confederation of African Football Justin Mumba Yannick Kabanga
