By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South African referee Victor Gomes will officiate Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Egypt.
Fellow South African Zakhele Siwela will assist Gomes along with Lesotho’s Souru Phatsoane and DRC’s Olivier Safari Kabene.
The highly respected Gomes becomes the first South African to ever officiate in an AFCON final.
The showpiece match will pit Liverpool teammates Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah in direct opposition as Senegal take on record-winners Egypt.
Algeria claimed glory with a 1-0 win over Senegal in the last tournament but the Lions of Teranga now have a second chance to put their name on the trophy.
Aliou Cisse’s side overcame Burkina Faso 3-1 on Wednesday before seven-time winners Egypt bested hosts Cameroon on penalties the following day.
The Africa Cup Of Nations Final is due to take place on Sunday, February 6 at the Olembe Stadium, Yaounde.
Kick-off is scheduled for 9pm SA time.
Hosts Cameroon will take on Burkina Faso in the third-fourth place playoff on Saturday, February 5, at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde.
Team News:
The hosts could start Watford winger Ismaila Sarr after he has impressed from the bench during the two games he has played in the tournament so far.
The 23-year-old scored against Equatorial Guinea in his first appearance since suffering a injury in November and he also got an assist in the semi-final.
Senegal otherwise have a clean bill of health to contend with as Mane is set to feature once again alongside Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy.
Egypt have been to extra-time in all three of their knockout stage matches and have less time to prepare for the final than their opponents.
This could force Carlos Queiroz into changes, but the Portuguese himself will be absent from the touchline following his red card against Cameroon.
Meanwhile Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reacted to both his star man Mane and Salah reaching the AFCON final.
He said: “Great achievement for both getting through to the final. Naby (Keita) played an exceptional tournament as well.
“So far, a really successful tournament for our boys and it will be exciting.
“It won’t be easy because one will be really happy afterwards and one less so. It’s a chance to achieve something really big.”