Tom To Officiate Opening Game Of 2022 CHAN

South African referee Abongile Tom has been appointed to officiate the opening game of 2022 African Nations Championship.

Tom is the only South African referee chosen to officiate at this year’s CHAN tournament, which was initially set to take place from 10 July to 1 August 2022 but got moved to 2023.

It’s been a week since he left the country and he was sent off by the South African Football Association and South African football loving supporters.

This publication understands Tom will officiate the opening game between the Algeria and Libya on Friday evening at the new Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algeria.

The Cape Town-born referee has been growing his name as match official, taking centre stage in the COSAFA Cup, CAF inter-club competitions and AFCON qualifiers.

In 2019, Tom made headlines after pointing to the spot in injury-time of the Nedbank Cup final between then second division side TS Galaxy and Kaizer Chiefs, which saw the Rockets win the final 1-0 to clinch the title.

The CHAN tournament kicks off on Friday and will run until 4 February.

Story by Sinethemba Makonco (@Makonco_M).