- Three Kenyan referees Stephen Yiembe, Dickens Mimisa, and Samuel Mwangi have been selected to officiate at the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024).
- The continental showpiece will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania from August 2 to August 30, 2025.
- Dickens Mimisa is among the 26 centre referees, Stephen Yiembe has been appointed as a Video Match Official (VMO) while Samuel Kuria has been named as an assistant referee.
Kenyan referees Stephen Yiembe, Dickens Mimisa and Samuel Mwangi have been selected among the elite officiating team for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 tournament.
Set to kick off in less than three weeks, the continental showpiece will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania from August 2 to August 30, 2025.
Stephen Yiembe, a widely respected official with a wealth of experience, has been named as a Video Match Official (VMO) for the tournament.
Beyond his duties in the Kenyan Premier League, Yiembe has represented the nation on the international stage.
Most notably, he served as the second assistant referee during the just concluded FIFA Club World Cup, officiating the high-stakes clash between Real Madrid and RB Salzburg.
Yiembe, aged 36, was also the only Kenyan referee to feature in the top-tier appointments at the tournament.
He was also on duty as the second assistant referee in the match between Inter Milan and Urawa Red Diamonds on June 21.
ALSO READ; LOC chair Musonye urges Kenyans to fully back Harambee Stars ahead of CHAN 2024
His experience extends to the CAF Champions League, where he officiated the semi-final showdown between Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly.
Additionally, Yiembe was among the 89 match officials selected for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Meanwhile, FIFA-accredited referee Dickens Mimisa has been named among the 26 center referees for CHAN 2024.
He has earned recognition for his consistent performance in local derbies, particularly the fiercely contested Mashemeji Derby between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards.
His most recent international assignment was at the AFCON U20 tournament held in Egypt, where he was one of the 14 central referees.
Play here and stand a chance of winning over 12 million SportPesa Midweek Jackpot
Mimisa has also handled assignments in CAF competitions and CECAFA matches, further solidifying his credentials.
On the other hand, Samuel Mwangi has been chosen as an Assistant Referee.
He earned his FIFA accreditation in 2022 and has since built a solid reputation as a reliable assistant referee.
Initially, when the tournament was scheduled for February this year, Kenya had nominated Dickens Mimisa (center referee), Peter Waweru Kamaku (center referee/VAR), and Samuel Kuria (assistant referee).
However, due to changes following the tournament’s rescheduling, Waweru was replaced by Yiembe in the final list of officials.
ALSO READ: Harambee Stars set for CECAFA Four Nations Championship in Tanzania
With preparations in full swing, the three host nations have received the green light to jointly stage the tournament this August.
Kenya will play all their Group A matches at the newly renovated Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, facing Angola, Morocco, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).
Kenya will open their campaign against DR Congo on August 3, battle Angola on August 7, face Morocco on August 10, and conclude the group stage against Zambia on August 17.
Kenya’s CHAN 2024 Group A Fixtures (All at Moi Sports Centre, Kasarani)
- Kenya vs DR Congo – Sunday, August 3 – 3:00 PM
- Angola vs Kenya – Thursday, August 7 – 7:00 PM
- Harambee Stars vs Morocco – Sunday, August 10 – 3:00 PM
- Zambia vs Kenya – Sunday, August 17 – 3:00 PM
ALSO READ: Emmanuel Wanyonyi & Marco Arop to lock horns in 800m race at London Diamond League 2025