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Matches Gassama has officiated in involving Nigerian league sides.
By Rasaq Oboirien
FIFA has named Gambia's Bakary Papa Gassama as match official for next month’s Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and Algeria at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
NaijaSportsXtra.blogspot.com can report that Nigeria has never lost a game with the 37-year-old as ref except for Nigeria Premier League (NPL) side, Sunshine Stars of Akure who lost 0-2 to Tunisian giant, Esperance in the group stage of the 2012 Champions League at the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode.
Incidentally, the first time Gassama officiated a game involving Nigeria was against Algeria's Olympic Team during the London 2012 male football qualifiers as the north Africans fell 4-1 to the Samson Siasia Dream Team.
The second time was the 2013 African Cup of Nations semi-final game between Mali and Nigeria in Durban.
Recall late coach Stephen Keshi Eagles made it to the final after bashing the Malians 4-1 at a pack full Moses Mabida Stadium.
Gassama was also at centre when the Super Eagles booked its ticket to the World Cup in Brazil. Nigeria at the U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar beat the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia 2-0 to qualify for the World Cup for the 5th time.
Meanwhile, the Group B game which will now kick off 5pm local time as against the proposed 5:30 pm time, will see Jean-Claude Birumushahu from Burundi as assistant referee 1, Marwa Range from Kenya as assistant referee 2 and Gassama’s compatriot, Maudo Jallow as fourth official.
FIFA has also appointed Jean-Olivier Mbera from Gabon as referee assessor, Ghanaian Anthony Baffoe as match commissioner and Nicholas Chumba Musonye from Kenya as security officer.
Gernot Rohr's Super Eagles top the group with 3points after securing a win over Zambia's Chipolopolo in Ndola while Algeria and Cameroon's Desert Foxes and Indomitable Lion are placed 2nd and 3rd on the log after they shared the spoils on match day 1.
Matches Gassama has officiated in involving Nigeria.
Olympic qualifiers 2012 - Africa
final tournament
Nigeria OT 4-1 Algeria OT
2014 World Cup qualifiers
Nigeria 2-0 Ethiopia
U.J Esuene Stasium, Calabar
2013 AFCON semi-finals
Mali 1-4 Nigeria
Moses Mabida Stadium in Durban
CAF Confederation Cup 2009
2nd Stage
Bayelsa United 5-0 Aigle Noir
CAF Champions League 2011
2nd round
Enyimba 1-0 Al Ittihad (Libya)
2012 CAF Champions League
group stage
Sunshine Stars 0-2 Espérance
Dipo Dina Stadium
