Denis MUSANJE
Ugandan referee Ali Sabila was set to appear on the final list of officials at the ongoing AFCON U20 tournament in Egypt.
The FIFA badge holder however missed out on the list to Egypt due to his performances in the game between Wakiso Giants and KCCA FC at Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadium.
Sabilla waved a genuine penalty appeal when KCCA FC forward Allan Okello was fouled inside the box before Rogers Mato’s struck a controversial goal.
Mato came from an offside position struck for KCCA immediately after Okello had been fouled in the forbidden area.
Before scoring Mato had collided out of play with Wakiso Giants’ Lawrence Bukenya.
The goal however shouldn’t have stood since Lawrence Bukenya and Wakiso Giants’ goalkeeper Samson Kirya had exchanged positions.
Kirya had now become a second last defender and Bukenya the last defender.
Sabila after consulting his assistant referee Ronald Katenya rewarded the goal and that could be the reason he was removed on the final list for match officials at the U20 AFCON.
Ali Mohamed Ahmed, one of the referee heads in CECAFA region was in attendance at Wakiso.
Ali Mohamed Ahmed has been in Uganda for several times even during Women’s CECAFA tournament in Njeru.
Meanwhile, a list of names consisting 16 referees, 18 assistant referees and six video assistant referees (VAR) are in Egypt for the ongoing TotalEnergies U20 Africa Cup.
