The Confederation of African Football has appointed Sudanese official Mahmood Ali Ismail as the referee for Sunday’s highly anticipated 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between the Leone Stars of Sierra and Super Eagles of Nigeria. This crucial match is set to take place at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium Monrovia, and both teams are gearing up for an intense battle on the field.
Ismail will have a tough task at hand, as both Sierra Leone and Nigeria have a reputation for being formidable opponents. The Leone Stars drew first blood in their previous encounter a year ago, but the Super Eagles fought back with goals from Alex Iwobi and Victor Osimhen to secure a hard-fought victory. It remains to be seen who will come out on top this time around.
Ismail’s compatriot Mohammed Abdallah Ibrahim will serve as assistant referee 1, while Liban Abdourazak Ahmed from Djibouti will serve as assistant referee 2. Mohamed Diraneh Guedi, also from Djibouti, will be the fourth official. Meanwhile, Gambian Bakary Jammeh will serve as the commissioner, and Kokou Djaoupe from Togo will be the referee assessor.
As the referee, Ismail will be responsible for upholding the rules and regulations of the game, ensuring fair play and making impartial decisions. This is no easy feat, as football can be a highly emotional and intense sport, with players and fans alike often becoming passionate and vocal in their support of their respective teams.
The role of the assistant referees is also crucial, as they will be responsible for monitoring the sidelines, signaling for offside, and assisting the referee in making decisions. The fourth official will be responsible for managing substitutions, communicating with the teams’ technical staff, and assisting the referee in the event of any disputes or issues that arise during the match.
Overall, the appointment of Ismail and his team of officials is a testament to their experience, knowledge, and expertise in the sport of football. Fans around the world will be eagerly watching as the Leone Stars and Super Eagles face off in what promises to be an exciting and hard-fought battle for a chance to qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
