Champions ES Question Credibility of Africa’s Best Referee Gassama

Reigning African Champions Esperance de Tunis have raised doubts over the fairness of record winner of CAF best referee of the year Bakary Gassama.

The North African giants are due to defend the prestigious African Cup they won last year up against Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca in a double-legged tie with the first meeting kicking off 24^th April 2018 in Rabat.

And ahead of the make or break showdown, holders ES have asked CAF not to nominate the duo of Papa Bakary Gassama and Janny Sikazwe of Gambia and Zambia respectively for any of their games in the ongoing tournament, an insider tells Ducor Sports.

Both arbiters were excused from the ties of the previous edition with Ethiopia’s Tassema Weyesea Bamlak used in the first meeting and Algeria’s Abid Charef fielded in the return-leg in Tunis.

Gassama is Africa’s most revered whistle-man and has officiated in two World Cups but does not enjoy such popularity amongst North African football followers.