AFCON 2019 : Cameroon Referees Excel

As the locomotive of the 2019 Africa Nations Cup gradually steams to its final station, three Cameroonian referees Sidi Alioum, Evarist Mekouande and Elvis Noupue have been receiving accolades for keeping the Cameroonian flag afloat weeks after the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon were sent packing by Nigeria at the Round of Sixteen.

The first on the sheet is Sidi Alioum who had the arduous task to officiate the opening match of the Africa Nations Cup on the 21st of June 2019 pitting host country Egypt against Zimbabwe. In a Cairo International Stadium full to capacity, Sidi Aliom did just what he knows best. Apart from being close to action, the energetic Cameroonian military officer displayed a mastery of soccer refereeing. His mobility in the pitch throughout the game and capacity to discipline players when need be have been his driving force.

Since the start of the competition, the thirty-seven-yearold son of Maroua in the Far North Region of Cameroon has been prominent on match forms. After the historic opener, he has been on duty as centre referee for the encounter pitting Ivory Coast to Morocco at the group stage, fourth official during the game Egypt versus South Africa at the Round of Sixteen and referee for the Madagascar versus Tunisia clash at the quarter finals. On the heels of Sidi Alioum is Evarist Mekouande one of the two assistant referees from Cameroon at the Africa Nations Cup. Born on the 14th of November 1974, the Cameroonian police officer has been on duty four times. During the opening encounter ...