Kenyan referee Stephen Yiembe has been appointed to officiate the FIFA Club World Cup clash between record European champions Real Madrid and Austrian outfit RB Salzburg.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsYiembe will serve as the second assistant referee in the match that is scheduled for Friday, 27 June, at the Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA) from 0400 hrs East African Time (EAT).Kenyan winger secures promotion to Spanish second tier with Real Sociedad BThe match will largely be handled by African referees, with the experienced Beida Dahane of Mauritania serving as the centre referee.Jerson Santos of Angola will be on duty as the first assistant referee, with Yiembe serving as the second assistant. China’s Ning Ma will serve as the reserve referee.##NAJAVA_MECA_8992123##This match is without a doubt the highest profile game that Yiembe has handled so far in his over a decade career that has been nothing short of illustrious.Yiembe is the only Kenyan match official who was appointed to officiate in the global tournament, a testament to his growing officiating profile.Tusker’s Ryan Ogam issues transfer update after missing out on Golden BootThe Nakuru-born assistant referee has had a blossoming career, rising through officiating ranks and has been involved in big assignments including the 2024 Olympics in France and the CAF Champions League semi-finals between Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly.His first assignment at the Club World Cup was in the Inter Milan and Urawa Red Diamonds clash, where he also served as the second assistant referee.##NAJAVA_MECA_8991981##The Friday encounter will be the last match in the group phase and will be crucial as it will dictate whether a team progresses to the next phase and which club proceeds as group leaders.Ahead of the match, Real Madrid are on top of Group H with four points, the same as second-placed Salzburg, with Xabi Alonso’s side possessing a superior goal difference.Harambee Stars defender signs for South Sudanese sideWith the stakes of the match so high, the African trio will be expected to be at their best and provide top-level and impartial officiating.Prior to his travel to the US, Yiembe had failed to secure a visa, and it took the intervention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to help him acquire the travel document.
