Governing body, Confederation of African Football, has appointed Egyptian referee Amin Mohamed Omar as the leading match official for the opening match of the 2023 African Cup of Nations between host nation Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau.
Mr Omar would be joined in the match official line up alongside his countrymen Mahmoud Ahmed Kamel and Ahmed Hossam Taha, who will serve as the two assistant referees, while Mahmoud Elbana will oversee VAR opening for the night.
The 39-year-old is not a newbie in the international football arena. He officiated the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil in 2019.
On Saturday night, Côte d’Ivoire, the Elephants, who would be banking a massive home support, will hope to thump Wild Dogs when the two sides trade tackles at the Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium in Ebimpé.
For the opening ceremony, Nigerian musician Yemi Alade alongside legendary Ivorian group Magic System and Egyptian singer Mohamed Ramadan will thrill fans with the tournament’s team song, ‘Akwaaba.’
