Two Kenyan referees to officiate in 2021 AFCON tournament

Two Kenyan referees Peter Waweru Kamaku and Gilbert Cheruiyot will represent the country alongside some of the best officials the continent has to offer as the duo were picked to officiate at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations that is scheduled to be played in Cameroon from 9 January to 6 February 2022.

In a list that had 64 match officials, the pair were the only Kenyans to be included in the continental showpiece that was postponed and pushed to 2022.

In the list seen by Mozzart Sport, Dr. Peter Waweru will be in the VAR booth while Cheruiyot will serve as an assistant referee.

This will not be the first major tournament for the experienced pair. Back in February this year, the two officiated in the final match of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) where Morocco defeated Mali. At the Tokyo Olympics, Cheruiyot was picked to officiate in the men's football tournament. In the 2020/2021 Football Kenya federation Premier League season, Waweru was named the best referee in the top tier league

Unfortunately, Kenya will not be available to play in the tournament as they fell short at the AFCON qualifiers where they finished third behind Egypt and Comoros who grabbed the two slots available from Group G.

In the 24 team tourney, reigning champions Algeria will be looking to defend the crown that they won in 2019 after condemning Senegal to defeat in the final. The 28th ranked nation in the FIFA rankings are pooled in a tough group alongside Ghana, Gabon and Comoros.

Group A: Burkino Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Ethiopia

Group B: Guinea, Malawi, Senegal, Zimbabwe

Group C: Comoros, Gabon, Ghana, Morocco

Group D: Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Sudan

Group E: Algeria, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone

Group F: Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Tunisia