Football fans in Africa were full of praise for Ethiopian referee Bamlack Tessema who officiated the first Semi-Final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon on Wednesday.
Tessema foresaw the first semi-final as Senegal won Burkina Faso 3-1 to advance to the final showpiece on Sunday.
But one thing positive about the game was the performance of the centre referee Bamlack Tessema from Ethiopia.
Despite the controversies surrounding this year’s AFCON especially in officiating, fans were able to celebrate Tessema from both Facebook and Twitter as some call him the man of the match while others name him AFCON 2021 best referee.
Some of the reactions included, “Bamlak Tesema Weseya from Ethiopia 🇪🇹 had an incredible game tonight. One of the best referees in Africa. Top guy. 👏🏾 #AFCON2021”
“Today’s game was Bamlak’s show, he made the game interesting.”
“Well done Bamlak 👏
AFCON2021 #Bamlak
🗣Talk friendly
😄Laugh a little
Then give the card,
Well done Bamlak !!!
AFCON #AFCON2021.”
Bamlak Tessema Weyesa is a medical researcher, a clinical coordinator at Addis Ababa University.
He is also a graduate of Sociology from Addis Ababa University.
Wayesa started to referee in 2003 and became international FIFA in 2009 with Djibouti vs Somalia in 201 as his first international match.
The Ethiopian referee officiated the first semi-final match of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations between Burkina Faso and Senegal.
He has handled two games at the tournament already Senegal v Guinea Group B match and Cameroon v Comoros Round of 16 games.
