Somalian referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been assigned to handle Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations Group L Qualifier between Amavubi of Rwanda and the Cheetahs of Benin at Kigali Pele Stadium. Artan, 30, is among the best young referees in Africa having started officiating in CAF games since 2020. ALSO READ: AFCON Qualifiers: Ten-man Rwanda hold Benin in Cotonou In relation to international football, his first assignment involving national teams was on September 5, 2021 when he officiated a FIFA World Cup qualifier between Togo and Namibia during which gave out five yellow cards. His most recent continental game was AS Nigerienne’s 1-0 win over Pyramids FC in the CAF Confederation Cup game on November 2, 2022. Artan will be assisted by fellow Somali countrymen Suleiman Bashir Abdi and Nour Abdi Mohamed as first and second assistant referees, as well as fourth referee Hassan Mohamed Hagi. ALSO READ: Kigali Pelé Stadium to host Rwanda v Benin clash behind closed doors The Rwanda v Benin game will be played behind closed doors as Kigali Pele Stadium falls short of criteria required by CAF to be allowed to accommodate supporters. A win on Wednesday could see Amavubi move to second place on the table with five points as Mozambique remained second in Group L after a 5-1 humiliating defeat to Senegal in Dakar on Friday.
