Egyptian referee to officiate Mali vs. Ghana

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Egyptian referee Amin Omar Mohamed to officiate the crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier between Mali and Ghana in Bamako on June 6. Mohamed, an experienced referee, will be assisted by his compatriots Abouelregal Mahmoud Ahmed Kamel Ahmed and Ibrahim Ahmed Hossameldin Taha, who will serve as Assistant I and Assistant II, respectively.

Hassan Elghandour Ahmed, another Egyptian referee, will serve as the fourth referee, while Algeria’s Abid Charef Mehdi will undertake Referee Assessor duties. Senegal’s Balde Yaya has been named Match Commissioner, overseeing the overall conduct and organization of the match.

This will not be Mohamed’s first time officiating a Ghana game. In 2021, he refereed a 2022 World Cup qualifier between Ghana and Zimbabwe, which the Black Stars won 1-0 thanks to a Thomas Partey strike. That victory ultimately led to Ghana’s qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The upcoming Mali match holds significant importance for the four-time African champions, who have had a somewhat lacklustre start in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. With a win against Madagascar and a defeat against Comoros, they currently have three points, trailing surprised leaders Comoros by three.

Mali, too, needs a win to revive their chances, having picked up four points from their previous two games. A defeat for Ghana could potentially jeopardize their chances of securing the top spot in the group and qualifying directly for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

The match is scheduled to take place on June 6, with Ghana hosting Central African Republic in Kumasi just four days later. These two matches are crucial for coach Otto Addo and the invited players, who must secure maximum points to stay in contention for a World Cup spot.

Ghana’s squad, which includes a mix of experienced players and new faces, has been preparing intensively for these crucial matches. The team’s captain, Andre Ayew, has urged his teammates to stay focused and determined, knowing that the upcoming matches will be challenging but crucial for their World Cup ambitions.

Coach Otto Addo has also emphasized the importance of these matches, stating that the team must secure maximum points to stay in contention for a World Cup spot. With the squad’s talent and determination, Ghana fans are optimistic about their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

The Mali vs. Ghana match promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams desperate for a win. The referee’s decisions will be crucial, and Amin Omar Mohamed and his team of officials will need to be at their best to ensure a fair and entertaining match.

The upcoming Mali vs. Ghana match is a crucial encounter for both teams, with significant implications for their 2026 World Cup ambitions. With a experienced referee like Amin Omar Mohamed officiating the match, fans can expect a thrilling encounter that will be decided by the teams’ skills and determination.