Afcon 2021Q: Bamlak Tessema to referee crucial South Africa vs Ghana tie

Top Ethiopian referee, Bamlak Tessema Weyesa will be in charge of Ghana’s penultimate match in Group C of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers away to South Africa on Thursday, March 25.

The medical researcher, a clinical coordinator and a sociology graduate (2012) from Addis Abeba University is no new face to the Black Stars whose last match he was involved in was against Cameroon at the group stage of the 2019 Afcon in Egypt.

This will be the 40-year-old’s third Black Stars match – with his first being a 2-0 win away to Mauritius in the 2017 Afcon qualifiers.

When Ghana visit South Africa at FNB Stadium later in the month, Bamlak Tessema – the Russia 2018 World Cup referee – will be assisted by compatriots Kindie Mussie (Assistant I), Temesgen Samuel Atango (Assistant II) and Biruk Yemanabran Kassaun as Fourth Official.

Match Commissioner will be Lesotho’s Mohau John Sentso.

The Bafana Bafana will host the Black Stars at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth – in what is expected to be a feisty contest due to the tight situation in Group C of the Afcon qualifiers.

Ghana and South Africa are tied on nine points‚ Sudan on six and Sao Tome zero — meaning both Bafana Bafana and Black Stars will be targeting at least four points in the final two qualifiers to be able to reach the Cameroon Afcon 2021 which has been delayed to February and January 2022.

 

Appointed Officials:

Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia) – Referee

Kindie Mussie (Ethiopia) – Assistant I

Temesgen Samuel Atango (Ethiopia) – Assistant II

Biruk Yemanabran Kassaun (Ethiopia) – Fourth Official

Mohau John Sentso (Lesotho) – Match Commissioner

Titus Haimbii Kunamuene (Namibia) – General Coordinator

Dr. Hergi Diebo (South Africa) – COVID-19 Officer