CAF eyes Ali

By Daniel Saire AFRICA soccer governing body CAF, has earmarked Ugandan FIFA assistant referee Ali Tomusange for the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea. CAF referees instructor Gebreyesus Tesfaye of Eritrea, revealed this yesterday at the start of a one week high level referees course at Lugogo. Tesfaye also said in an interview that another FIFA referee Yusuf Awuye had replaced former FIFA referee Charles Masembe on the list of the best Africa centre referees following his recent excellent performance. He said Awuye performed well at the Africa Youth championship in Seychelles early this year and was the best in the cooper test. "The two stand higher chances of featuring in both the World Cup and Africa Nations Cup because they are among the best on the continent at the moment." He said Tomusange's past performance had brought pride to soccer in Africa. Tomusange burst onto the international scene when he officiated at the Africa Women Cup of Nations in Nigeria. He was again appointed to handle the World Club Cup in Brazil last year. Tesfaye however, warned that their chances would depend on how they perform ahead of the two finals. "If standards fall, then we shall not have any compromise," he said. FIFA, recently appointed the duo together with Asuman Kityo and Siraj Katono to a World Cup qualifier match between Sudan and Sierra-Leone on July 29. He added that to enhance good performance, CAF had devised a new method of putting referees into groups. He cited the four, whom he said would always be appointed together. He advised FUFA to follow the same practice. * * * Avoid bribes, referees told CONFEDERATION of African Football (CAF) Instructor, Gebreyesus Tesfaye has cautioned Ugandan referees against being tempted by club officials with money, reports Daniel Saire. He said that there was big money in refereeing if one performed well and got appointed to handle international matches. He cited the World Cup where referees earn $20,000 (sh35m). Tesfaye said they should instead be honest and focus their attention to the game. He also warned them against handling matches when they were not fit. "The game depends entirely on you, therefore you must always be physically and mentally fit," Tesfaye who started a one-week training course for 26 referees at Lugogo, challenged them to accept criticism if they were to improve their performance. He also added that FIFA referee Ben Matovu had damaged the country's image following his poor officiation of a league match between Express and Masaka that was watched among others by CAF president Issa Hayatou and his vice Farah Addo. He said Uganda must be grateful to CAF because such a course was difficult to get by any country. Tesfaye told FUFA to invite Matovu for the course after learning that he had been excluded. He said the referee should be given chance to learn and correct his mistakes. The tough talking Tesfaye said the course would include a cooper test and whoever fails would not get a certificate. Ends Ends