North Africa on Edge: Egyptian Ref to Lead USM Alger vs Olympique Safi in CAF Cup Semifinal

Referee lineup for CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals

Moroccan sources report that Egyptian referee Amin Omar will lead the first leg between USM Alger of Algeria and Olympique Safi of Morocco in the CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals.

According to CAF announcements, Omar is assigned to oversee the tie that kicks off the North African clash in the competition's semi-final stage.

Dates, venues and the men in the middle

The first leg is scheduled for April 11 in Algeria, while the return leg will take place on April 19 at Stade de la Marche, a venue noted in local reports.

The first leg will be officiated by the Egyptian center referee Amin Omar, with two Egyptian assistants, and a fourth official. The VAR will be provided by another Egyptian official with an additional assistant.

For the return leg, Rwanda's Samuel Oikanda will be the referee, with Gilbert Shiriyot and Oliver Lopez Sanchez as assistants, and Mohamed Haj Ali as the fourth official. The VAR will be handled by Issa Cisse and his colleague Gabriel Camara as assistants for video review.

The winner will advance to the final to face the other semi-final winner between Zamalek SC and CR Belouizdad.

PUNCHLINES: If this game had a referee app, it would be called “Whistle & Chill.” The other gem: the only thing faster than a counter-attack here is a VAR delay—maybe bring snacks.