SOCCER

RWANDA’s top assistant referee Celestin Ntagungira a.k.a Abegga (In pic) will officiate at next month’s Fifa World Cup after passing the ultimate referees’ test in Johannesburg, South Africa.

"I’m short of words. I have been looking forward to this moment and can’t wait to add another World Cup under my belt.”

"I now have to wait for the official refereeing schedule to know the games I will be involved in,” he told Times Sport on phone.

Only six weeks ago, Abegga’s chances of being involved in the 2010 World Cup looked slim after straining a thigh muscle during a cooper test in Zurich.

However, the Rwandan came through just in time. Abegga is one of eight African assistant referees who are expected to officiate at the World Cup.

Others include Nasser Abdel Nadi (Egypt), Maamar Chabane (Algeria), Redouane Achik (Morocco), Manuel Candido (Angola), Enock Molefe (South Africa), Evariste Menkouande (Cameroon) and Bechir Hassani (Tunisia).

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