Kenya’s Referees Selected for 2023 Africa Cup of Nations; Egypt and Morocco Dominate in Referee Numbers
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced an impressive list of referees for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, with Kenya being represented by three skilled officials. This selection highlights the growing recognition of Kenyan referees in the international football arena.
The 34th Africa Cup of Nations, set to take place in Cote d’Ivoire from January 13th to February 11th, will feature Kenyan referee Peter Waweru Kamaku on the field, supported by assistant referees Gilbert Cheruiyot and Yiembe Stephen.
Peter Waweru Kamaku, a Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology mathematics professor, combines academic brilliance with extensive refereeing experience. A FIFA-listed referee since 2017, Kamaku has a history of officiating in prestigious tournaments, including the 2019 AFCON U-20, the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, the Under-17 World Cup in Brazil, and the 2021 CHAN tournament final.
Gilbert Cheruiyot’s career has been notable, culminating in his officiating at the 2023 CAF Champions League final’s second leg. His performance in this high-profile match between Al Ahly and Wydad Casablanca has cemented his status as one of Africa’s top referees.
Assistant referee Yiembe Stephen, a promising talent in Kenya, demonstrated his abilities in the 2023 AFCON U-23 final between Morocco and Egypt, earning him a place in the Africa Cup of Nations roster.
Egypt and Morocco are leading in referee representation with seven referees each, showcasing their significant influence in African football. Algeria follows with five representatives, while host nation Cote d’Ivoire has three referees, all contributing to the anticipated success of this edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.
