Referee Mark Ssonko gets World Cup nod

Ugandan assistant referee, Mark Ssonko has been shortlisted by FIFA for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Sonko who is one of the top referees currently in the country, is among the few match officials from Africa to be nominated. The shortlisted referees will have to undergo a course in Dubai where the final list will be made.

Kenyan's Range Marwa, Sonko, Ahmed Waleed ( Sudan),Jean Claude Birimushahu ( Burundi) and Ethiopia's centre referee Tessema Weyesa Bamlak are the only match officials from CECAFA region.

If Sonko makes it, he will become the second Ugandan to officiate in the tournament sanctioned after  Ali Tomusange who was assistant referee in the 2002 FIFA World Cup that was hosted in South Korea and Japan.

Officials listed from Africa

Referees: Grisha Ghead (Egypt), Abid Charef Mehdi (Algeria), Sikazwe Janny (Zambia), Tessema Weyesa Bamlak (Ethiopia), Gassama Bakary Papa (Gambia), Diedhiou Malang (Senegal)

Assistant referees: Etchiali Abdelhak (Algeria), Hmila Anouar (Tunisia), Camara Djibril (Senegal), Samba El Hadji Malick (Senegal), Birumushahu Jean Claude (Burundi), Range Marwa (Kenya), Achik Redouane (Morocco), Ahmed Waleed (Sudan), Dos Santos Jerson Emiliano (Angola), Siwela Zakhele Thusi (S. Africa), Safari Olivier (I. Coast), Ssonko Mark (Uganda).