The CAF relies on Senegalese expertise. The CAF Champions League approaches a decisive turning point this Saturday, highlighting Issa Sy, a 39-year-old Senegalese referee, for the highly anticipated return match between Petro Luanda and TP Mazembe.
Following a goalless draw (0-0) in the first encounter in Lumumbashi, the stakes are considerable for both teams, both aspiring to a spot in the semi-finals. Issa Sy, the Senegalese referee, will be in charge of this crucial encounter, where every decision could significantly influence the outcome of the competition. Although Senegalese clubs did not make it to the quarter-finals, the presence of referee Issa Sy ensures Senegal’s representation in this crucial phase of the tournament. His management of the match will be closely observed during this important event. To support the refereeing of this match, Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology will be used, with Samir Guezzaz from Morocco at the helm, assisted by Zakaria Brinsi.
Issa Sy from Senegal will handle Petro Luanda v TP Mazembe’s game on Saturday. 🚨🇸🇳
— Micky Jnr (@MickyJnr__) April 1, 2024
Morocco’s Samir Guezzaz has been confirmed as head of the VAR with Zakaria Brinsi as his assistant. 🇲🇦 #CAFCLwithMicky #TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/Z2uvOLN8RQ
Lamine Camara reflects on AFCON 2023. Considered one of the favorites, Senegal, after an impeccable run during the group stages of AFCON 2023 (3 matches, 3 victories, 9 points), was eliminated in the next round by the Elephants, who made a miraculous comeback in the competition with a 1-0 victory by Morocco over Zambia. While Senegal was leading 1-0, they were caught up late in the match by an Ivorian penalty, converted by Kessié, before losing on penalties (5-4).
This elimination was particularly tough for Lamine Camara, experiencing his first AFCON. He was inconsolable:
“AFCON still remains a bitter memory. I still hold onto those images that motivate me. Every time I see those images (when I was inconsolable after the elimination), I tell myself that I owe something to the Senegalese people. It’s not an obligation, but I’ve set this goal for myself. I tell myself that I must do everything to replace that image with another where I will be smiling, the trophy in my hands. It’s an experience that will serve me in the years to come.”
“Many people hoped that Senegal would win AFCON. Even us, the players, we hoped to go far, but it didn’t happen in Ivory Coast. That’s football, the better team won, it was Ivory Coast. It was a good team that was against us. We did everything we could to win, but God wanted us to stop in the round of 16. Now, we won’t give up, we will take it as a lesson to correct the mistakes that proved fatal to us,” he justifies.
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