18 Jan 2022

Today’s AFCON fixture will see two of the continent’s biggest rivals face each other in a Group D game at Ahmadou Adhijo Stadium in Yaoundé at 8pm.

The game would see Sudan and Egypt lock horns with one of Africa’s finest whistlemen, Joshua Bondo, mandated to keep the peace.

The game is expected to be physical, with each team going for a win either for bragging rights or to redeem national pride.

A win for Egypt would give them hope of continuing with the tournament, as they are on position two with three points.

But a win for Sudan would just be a chance to brag for winning the bout, as they are at the bottom of the log with only one point.

Bondo will, therefore, be expected to up his game and be at the centre of every action

Sunday Standard sport editor, Botlhale Koothopile, said the game between Egypt and Sudan will either make or break Bondo, since it would be an all stakes affair.

Koothopile said there would be lot of pressure, but he was confident that Bondo would be equal to the task because he would never be intimidated, irrespective of the match profile.

He said Bondo was physically fit and always closer to the action.

“I have no doubt that he will have another great outing,” he said. Koothopile said should Bondo maintain the same level of officiating he did in the first game, he would be in contention to officiate in the next stages of AFCON. ENDS