CHAN 2024 Ugandan referees: Champions of the Whistle
The 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024) started on August 2 and will last until August 30. The first round games take place in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. For East Africa, this is not only about football. It’s also a prep for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which this area will host with other countries.
As fans root for the Uganda Cranes, the country is in the news not just for its team but also for its game referees. Two from Uganda with FIFA accreditations, Lucky Razake Kasalirwe and Ronald Katenya, are picked to help run the games right and well. Their work makes Uganda proud and shows the country is doing well in African soccer rules.
Ugandan Referees at CHAN 2024: Setting the Standard
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) picks referees for CHAN with care, due to the game’s heat and big risks. From 65 picked across Africa, two are key for fans in Uganda: Lucky Razake Kasalirwe as the main one and Ronald Katenya as his helper.
Their choice is a huge win and it shows Uganda’s push in training referees, with help from CAF and FIFA a lot. These referees work to keep things calm, make sure the game is fair, and make big calls that could change how the match goes.
Uganda’s Growing Officiating Legacy
Uganda is known for its football, but referees often get less talk than players. Kasalirwe and Katenya being at CHAN 2024 shows a change.
In the past ten years, FUFA (Federation of Uganda Football Associations), has invested into training referees, with help from CAF and FIFA. They’ve run classes on using VAR, staying fit, and making important decisions, all to make Uganda’s referring better.
Seeing Kasalirwe and Katenya at CHAN is part of a big shift, not just a one-time win.
The Role of Referees in CHAN 2024
Referees at football games don’t get a lot of praise. At CHAN 2024, they have a key job:
- Keeping it fair: With national pride at stake, referees need to make quick calls that keep the game honest.
- Handling stress: CHAN games get quite hot, with big, loud crowds. Referees have to keep calm no matter what.
- Following rules: They must stick to CAF’s tough rules about discipline, time, and VAR.
- Keeping players safe: From stopping rough play to cooling down tempers, referees look out for the players.
By doing well in these parts, CHAN 2024’s referees from Uganda are not just standing for their country but are also helping make the event great.
Problems Referees Face at CHAN
Being a referee in a such a big event is tough. Here are some problems they face:
- High Hopes from Fans and Teams
Every move is watched closely, and any slip-up can cause big talks in the crowd and online.
- Tech and VAR Stress
Though VAR is there to help referees, it also puts every call they make under tight check.
- Body and Mind Stress
Referees need to be in top shape to keep up with fast football and stay sharp for 90 minutes.
- Talk and Culture Blocks
With teams from all over Africa, talking can be hard. Referees must be clear and firm in what they say.
Both Kasalirwe and Katenya have been taught to deal with these stress points, making them trusty leaders for CHAN 2024.
How Uganda Got Its Referees Ready for CHAN 2024
For Kasalirwe and Katenya, the road to CHAN 2024 took a lot of prep. The team at FUFA’s Refereeing Department was key in making them ready by:
- Setting up practice workshops with old game clips.
- Running fitness drills that fit FIFA rules.
- Doing training sessions to deal with the hard parts of world football.
- Talking with CAF to make sure Ugandan refs ticked all boxes.
All this work made sure Uganda’s referees were not just there, but real players in the big games of CHAN 2024.
Uganda’s Contribution to African Football Officiating
Apart from CHAN, Uganda is now seen more as a place that makes top referees for games across Africa. Some past examples are:
- Ali Tomusange, a well-known FIFA ref who stood for Uganda in big events.
- Aisha Ssemambo, a female ref from Uganda who is known all over the continent.
This great track record paves the path for new stars, with Kasalirwe and Katenya at the front.
Looking to the Future: After CHAN 2024
For Kasalirwe and Katenya, CHAN 2024 is not just a key part of their careers but also a kick-off point. Doing well in this event could open doors to:
- Tasks in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.
- Opportunities to work in the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027.
- Possibly being asked to join FIFA events later on.
Their path is not only their own; it shows what Uganda aims for in football too.
Pride in the Whistle
The role of CHAN 2024 Ugandan referees Lucky Razake Kasalirwe and Ronald Katenya is big. It shows that Uganda is set to contribute to African football not just with players but with world-class referees too.
As East Africa shows it can hold a successful CHAN, Uganda’s referees help make sure the game goes well and fair. Fans watching should look not just at the goals and hits, but also at the whistle and flag held up high by Kasalirwe and Katenya.