After successfully officiating at the Africa Cup of Nations last year, two Kenyan referees are set to officiate at the 2022 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
Fifa has selected referees Gilbert Cheruiyot and Mary Njoroge to officiate the 2020 Men’s and Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, just like at the AFCON, no Kenyan team football team will be represent the nation.
According to Footbll Kenya Federatio referees Sylvester Kirwa said: “It’s a good motivation for all our match officials especially the upcoming and that the work we are doing as a technical department is appreciated because we are nowadays represented in every major football event.”
Njoroge and Cheruiyot are among the 99 match officials, who include 25 referees, 50 assistant referees, 20 video match officials, and four support referees selected from 51 countries.
The two top referees are part of the 99 officials selected by Fifa from 51 countries, to take charge of football matches at the prestigious global event, slated for July 23 to August 8.
Cheruiyot in January assisted his compatriot Peter Waweru Kamaku in officiating the 2021 Total Africa Nations Championships quarterfinals match between Mali and Congo at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Cameroon.
The duo also officiated the competition’s mouthwatering final between defending champions Morocco and Mali at the same venue. Morocco humbled Mali 2-0.