By Oni Ladonette Ondesa
Journalist,kick442.com-Cameroon
- CAF has named four Cameroonian referees for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), set to take place this August in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania
- Carine Atezambong will serve as a VAR official, Mpele Rodrigue Menye as assistant referee, Abdou Abdel Mefire as referee, and Evarist Mekouande as instructor
Cameroon may have failed to book a spot on the pitch for CHAN 2024, but that doesn’t mean the country will be absent when the action kicks off in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
While the Intermediate Lions fell short in the qualifiers, four Cameroonian officials will be part of the officiating crew at the tournament, ensuring that the nation’s flag would be seen on the touchlines, in the VAR room, and within the referee briefings.
Leading the team of officials is the ever-consistent Carine ATEZAMBONG Fomo, who earns her third consecutive CHAN appointment. A seasoned official on the continent, Carine will operate as a VAR referee in this edition. Though she missed the preparatory phase due to her involvement in other international tournaments, her experience and composure under pressure have made her a mainstay in CAF’s top assignments.
Her recent stints at CHAN 2023 in Algeria and AFCON 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire and WAFCON 2025 in Morocco further underscore her growing reputation in African football circles.
Joining her is Rodrigue Menye, who returns for his second CHAN appearance as an assistant referee. Menye’s reading of the game and positional awareness on the touchline have earned him back-to-back selections, a sign of consistency and CAF’s confidence in his officiating abilities of the man voted best assistant Referee in Cameroon in 2023. Notably, he was part of the early preparatory camp alongside Bito Jeannot, though the latter did not make the final cut.
Making his debut at senior continental level is Abdou Abdel MEFIRE, who steps up as a Referee in the CHAN after a brilliant U-20 AFCON a few weeks back that saw him officiate the final alongside Carine. For Mefire, CHAN 2025 represents a major career breakthrough, a chance to move from the periphery to center stage.
Adding a wealth of experience to the line-up is Evarist MEKOUANDE, now serving as a referee instructor. Mekouande is no stranger to big games, he was an assistant referee in the AFCON 2019 final between Senegal and Algeria. Today, he’s transitioned into a mentorship role, helping groom the next generation of elite whistleblowers across Africa.
Interestingly, this is the second tournament in a row that Cameroonian officials have featured at CHAN. At the 2023 edition in Algeria, the country was represented by Ngwa Blaise and Carine Atezambong. While the on-field squad hasn’t been able to punch its ticket this year, the referees continue to uphold Cameroon’s presence on the continental stage.
With CHAN 2025 set to be jointly hosted by East African nations; Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania from August 2nd to August 30th, 2025. it marks a historic chapter as the first CHAN or CAF tournament co-hosted by three countries.
The competition, reserved exclusively for players active in their domestic leagues, offers a unique platform to scout raw talent, unearth hidden gems, and showcase homegrown football culture.
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