24 Jan 2017

Botswana’s top referee, Joshua Bondo continues to hoist the country’s flag  high at the ongoing 2017Africa Cup of Nations.

Bondo, who is the first Motswana ever to adjudicate at the continental show-piece, has so far handled two big games, meticulously.

Although Botswana national team failed to qualify, Bondo is currently making the nation to watch their screen and his performance has so far not disappointed and his decisions and application of laws of the game are spot on.

The first assignment for Botswana’s finest was a Group D match between Ghana and Uganda. The wistle man did not hesitate to call a penalty 14 minutes before half time after Uganda’s Isaac Nsinde brought down Asamoah Gyan inside the penalty box, which was converted by Andre Ayew to give his country a win.

In the second stanza, Bondo continued with his good performance and although some players during the game tried to cheat him by simulating,  he refused to buy their story as he continued to urge them to practice fair play.

The second game for Bondo was a physical encounter between Algeria and Senegal on Monday. No doubt the game was tense and full of emotion, but the referee managed the game well.
Algeria, which is ranked amongst the top five in Africa, and were the favourites in Group B was in danger of early elimination and as the game wore on the Algerians became desperate.

Bondo took control of the match by swiftly and decisively dealing with transgressions in accordance to the laws.

He worked well with his assistants and this was evident in Algeria's second goal, when there were doubts as to whether the ball had crossed the line or not.

Television replays confirmed that the assistant was spot on when he signaled to Bondo to award the goal.

During the entire game, he was solid and applied the laws of the game to the letter. His positional sense was on point as he kept up with play and was decisive, faultless and flawless.

The game ended in a two all draw and the results meant an exit from the tournament by Algeria without a single win. BOPA