Eagles Get Controversial Egyptian Ref for Congo Clash

04 Nov 2014

Ghead Zaglol Grisha

Duro Ikhazuagbe
When Nigeria travels to Point Noire next week to play a must-win 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Congo, the Super Eagles are likely going to be at the mercy of controversial Egyptian centre referee, Ghead Zaglol Grisha.

It was Grisha who awarded Zambia that controversial late penalty against Nigeria at the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa that resulted in the 1-1 draw that gave hope of advancing from the group stage to the Chipolopolo. The game was just five minutes to regulation time when Grisha conjured the penalty for the Zambians.

Though Zambia crashed out at that stage even as defending champions, protests from the Nigerian camp against the Egyptian referee, were ignored by CAF. Despite claims that the Egyptian arbiter had been sent home, Grisha was to appear at other games as fourth referee later. Nigeria however went against all odds to win the trophy to become African champions for the third time.

Grisha is to be assisted in Congo by compatriots like Tahssen Abo El Sadat Bedyer (Assistant Referee 1), Ahmed Abou Elela (Assistant Referee 2) and Mahmoud Ashor (Reserve Referee) during the match in Atlantic city of Point Noire.

CAF also named Aboubakar Alim Konate from Cameroun as Match Commissioner while Moroccan Naciri Abdelali will be Security Officer.

The Africa football governing body also disclosed yesterday that the crucial game will start at 3.30pm Congo time, which will be 2.30pm in Nigeria.

Stephen Keshi’s 25 –man squad for the battle will hit start to arrive the Bolton White Apartments camp in Abuja as from Sunday.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Emenike who emerged top scorer in that AFCON 2013 returned to winning ways at the weekend after firing blanks for several weeks.

Emenike told Africanfootball.com yesterday that all through his period of goal drought he did not allow it to affect his self-confidence.
Emenike scored one of the goals on Sunday as his Turkish club, Fenerbahce, defeated hosts and city rivals, Besiktas, 2-0.
"I never lost my confidence (when he was not scoring). I put the goals in my head whenever I am on the pitch, but it seems everything is working well right now," the 27-year-old said monday.

"As a striker, my main job and objective is to score goals but sometimes it is difficult and that does not mean the goal is dry. But I am happy to put smiles on the faces of everybody. I believe the goal will lift me.

"Of course, I will keep working hard, I am going to score more goals with luck on my side and I believe this victory will go a long way for me and my club."

Last season, Emenike scored 14 goals.

Champions Fenerbache are top of the Turkish Super League on 16 points from eight matches.
They host Rizespor on Saturday in continuation of the league.