Every referee at the Africa Cup of Nations started on a local pitch. This is the path an African referee follows to reach continental and World Cup matches.
1. Local qualification
Referees begin with a course run by their local or regional football association, covering the Laws of the Game, positioning and fitness. After passing a written test, new referees officiate youth and lower-league matches while being observed by assessors.
2. National leagues
Good performers are promoted to higher domestic divisions. National associations run refresher courses and fitness tests, such as the seven-day referee programmes held in Rumbek in South Sudan or the elite referees' courses in Juba. Top referees are grouped into a national elite panel.
3. The FIFA list
Each year national associations nominate referees and assistant referees for the FIFA international list, within quotas set by FIFA. Nominees must pass fitness tests, including repeated sprints and interval running, and meet age and experience requirements. Being on the list earns the right to wear the FIFA badge and to be appointed to international matches.
4. CAF appointments
CAF's referees committee appoints FIFA-listed referees to AFCON qualifiers, club competitions and youth tournaments. Referees attend CAF courses and are assessed after every match. South Sudanese officials, for example, have been appointed to AFCON qualifiers between other nations and to regional tournaments such as the CECAFA Kagame Cup.
5. Finals tournaments and the World Cup
The best performers are selected for AFCON finals, the CAF Champions League final and, eventually, FIFA tournaments. Modern referees also train as video assistant referees; read how VAR works.
Skills that matter
- Deep knowledge of the offside law and disciplinary rules (see cards explained).
- Fitness comparable to the players.
- Communication with players and teammates.
- Consistency, which assessors value more than spectacular calls.