06 Apr 2022

Botswana’s finest referee, Joshua Bondo, has missed out on an opportunity to officiate at the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup.

Batswana were anticipating that Bondo would make history by being the first Motswana to officiate at the World Cup, after an outstanding performance at this year’s AFCON.

Bondo’s performance at the just ended AFCON was memorable as he made incontestable decisions that did not even require consulting the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), the most memorable being him disagreeing with VAR in a game between Tunisia and Burkina Faso.

However, Africa will be represented by Mustapha Ghorbal of Algeria, Redouane Jiyed of Morocco, Gambian Papa Bakary Gassama, Ethiopia’s Tessema Balmak, and Victor Gomez of South Africa.

Other Africans to officiate at the Qatar World Cup are Janny Sikazwe of Zambia, Senegal’s Maguette N’diaye as well as Jean Jacques of DRC.

Meanwhile, Sunday Standard sport editor, Botlhale Koothopile indicated that one had to understand the nitty-gritties of selecting match officials for the world stage before being judgemental.

Koothopile was of the view that the selection panel might be looking at many other issues not solely basing their decision on one’s performance.

Bondo excelled at AFCON followed by his ongoing officiating at Africa’s Champion League and Confederations Cup. ENDs