Egyptian referee, Mahmoud Ashor will take charge of proceedings when three–time African champions, Nigeria, and current Africa’s number one team, Senegal, clash in a friendly match in Ismailia, today.
He will be assisted by compatriots Mohamed Abdel Mgeed (First Assistant), Ahmed Salah (Second Assistant) and Said Abdollah (Reserve Referee).
Both camps have agreed to play the match behind closed door, with Coaches Gernot Rohr and Aliou Cisse savouring the opportunity to put on the carousel different patterns and tactics.
While Senegal is Africa’s number one–ranked team, Nigeria is number three with only Tunisia between them, according to latest rankings by world governing –body FIFA. The Super Eagles play Burundi, Guinea and Madagascar in Group B of the 32nd Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt (with Alexandria as venue), while Senegal is up against Algeria, Kenya and Tanzania in Group C with Cairo’s Air Defence Stadium as venue.
Egypt 2019 is Nigeria’s 18th appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations, three more than Senegal.