Namibia: David Shaanika Shines At AYC

Staff Reporter

28 April 2011

Assistant referee David Shaanika officiated at the ongoing CAF African Youth Championships in South Africa last week.

Upon his return on Tuesday afternoon, Shaanika hailed the high standard of the competition, which he said was an eye-opener.

“The referees’ training and the whole set-up were just memorable and I learned a lot indeed. It was an amazing experience,” he said.

Shaanika left for the championship on April 23 and was involved in two crucial games. He was on the line in the match between South Africa and Lesotho which the hosts won 2-1 in Group A and was also involved in the group decider match between Egypt and South Africa which the former won 1-0 to all but confirm their place at the Fifa Under 20 World Cup in Colombia later this year, together with the other semifinalists Mali, Cameroon and Nigeria.

“Especially the final match that I did was crucial and I was so focused, because of what was at stake and how good everyone would have to be for such a match”, explained Shaanika.

He however returned home to give way to the two assistants from Ghana and South Africa who were not involved in the group stages because of their countries’ involvement.

Meanwhile, three Namibian Fifa-accredited match officials will take charge of the Caf All-Africa Games second leg qualifier featuring hosts Zimbabwe against Botswana on Saturday.

The three are referee Rainhold Shikongo with assistants Alpheus Shipanga and Hendrik Swartbooi.

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