AFCON 2021: Readers Give Their Opinion About Egypt's Demand for Victor Gomes to Referee Cameroon Semifinal

• Readers had a strong response to the Egyptian Football Association's plea to change referees for their side's crunch African Cup of Nations semifinal against Cameroon
• The EFA is not happy with the Gambian referee Bakary Gassama appointed for the fixture, and has complained to CAF
• Among the referees the association demanded that South African referee Victor Gomes be the man in the middle for the encounter

Sports Brief readers had a strong and telling response to the Egyptian Football Association's plea to have referees changed for their African Cup of Nations semifinal tonight against Egypt.

CAF appointed Gambian referee Bakary Gassama to take control of the potential explosive encounter at the Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé.

As reported on Sports Brief, EFA member Ehab El-Komy revealed that the organisation sent a letter to the continental governing body to reconsider Gassama's appointment.

El-Komy said:

"Victor Gomes or the Guatemalan referee who was mentioned earlier were more worthy of officiating this game. As the EFA, things of that sort worry us, especially after Eto'o earlier said that it's a war and with the leaks claiming that Salah tested positive for COVID-19."

AFCON 2021: Strict referee Victor Gomes' performance sets social media alight... again

Football

Football fans found the funny side of this, but there was a bit of long held ill-feeling behind their humour.

Aksam Hunior said:

"Victor is the right man. They can't give them a referee from North or West. The referee should be from South or East."

Thembile Ngcatshe said:

"Why? They want Roger's Maputo cousin to ref? They think just because he is Roger's homey things will be easier..."

Ndumiso Marcus Jr said:

"Gomes will officiate the final."

Rockett Scientist said:

"Maybe Roger de Sa will win something in life."

Humphrey Mngadi said:

"I'm not surprised. Victor is the only referee in Africa who is professional and does his work perfectly."

Howard Thobi said:

"They like North African people. This time they won't get that manna."

Luvuyo Kwankwa said:

"Egypt knows that West and Central refs are skelms. If you are not from those two regions you will be the victim."

GFA President Kurt Okraku has no regret sacking C.K Akonnor, defends coach Milovan Rajevac

Football

Nathi Mhlongo said:

"That's Roger De Sa who chose Gomes."