Amid claims of suspect officiating by referees during the just concluded Nations Cup in South Africa, one referee stood out and was consequently given the honour of refereeing the final match between Nigeria and Burkina Faso.

Just when Nigeria was stepping out of a very tricky first round, Algerian Haimoudi Djamel was given the job of refereeing the quarter final encounter against Cote D’ivoire and he was impeccable.

The Super Eagles met him again in the final match and had nothing to complain about. This week end, Djamel leads compatriots Omari Bouabdallah, Bitam Mahmoud and Amalou Mohktar to handle the CAF Champion League return leg encounter between Rangers International and Vital O of Burundi. The first leg match ended scoreless.

In another development, NFF Referees Consultant, Linus Mba will be heading to Mali as Match Commissioner for the CAF Confederations Cup encounter pitching Union Sportive Bougouni againstRecreativo Caala. Recreativo won the first leg 4-0 in Angola, making the task very herculean for the Malians.

The refereeing quartet of Henry Ogunyamodi, Peter Edibi, Usman Isah and Amao Joshua are in charge of the match pitching former champions Tout Puissant Mazembe against Mochudi Chiefs of Botswana.

The Congolese won the first leg 1-0 at away.

Equatorial Guinea officials will be in charge when Heartland struggles in Bitam, Gabon to defend a slim 2-1 lead, just as Ivorien referees led by Doue Noumandiez will superintend over Kano Pillars match away to CAF Confederations Cup defending champions AC Leopards of Congo Kinshasha. Pillars enjoy a comfortable but tricky 4-1 lead.

The fourth Nigerian club in action this week end is Lobi Stars who are already in Mozambique for their return leg encounter against Liga Muculmana.