Celebrated Kenyan assistant referee Gilbert Cheruiyot shot to a new high in his career after officiating in second leg of the 2023 CAF Champions League final played on June 12.The closely-contested second leg of the final brought Egyptian giants Al Ahly against Morocco’s Wydad at the fully packed Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca. Abdelmonem’s late header silences Casablanca cauldron as Al-Ahly clinch their 11th CAF CL title!The electrifying atmosphere at the facility was second to none and the unceasing moments on madness on the pitch made it difficult for the officials including Cheruiyot who, occasionally had to abandon his job on the line and help broker peace on the pitch.##NAJAVA_MECA_7324828##While Cheruiyot and veteran Ethiopian referee Bamlak Tessema did the donkey work on the pitch, another Kenyan Peter Waweru was in the third eye in the closely contested match as he was in the VAR room waiting to intervene.Despite working in the largely intimidating environment, Cheruiyot did what he does best and returned home with a medal on his neck.Here are the FIFA accredited assistants (Men) and the years they landed the badge. Oliver Omondi Odhiambo-2014Gilbert Cheruiyot Kipkoech-2013Joseph Joshua Achila-2015Samuel Mwangi Kuria- 2019Yiembe Onyango Stephen-2018 pic.twitter.com/RrlYdUSstW— Meshack Kisenge (@kisengemeshack1) May 19, 2023 Even before he could rest and recover well, the 40-year old, was on the move as he officiated in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match pitting Eswatini against Togo played on Monday in South Africa.For starters, the FIFA accredited referee has officiated, medaled, seen it all in grand stages before but in his admission, he is not a finished article as he is yet to do duty in the World Cup.Cheruiyot who was born Esageri location in Baringo would have debuted in the 2022 FIFA World Cup held in Qatar but his name was struck out as Kenya had been suspended by the governing body.“I have officiated in big tournaments but the World Cup. My hope is to be enlisted for duty in the 2026 edition,” he said.“It was satisfying to be among the officials who manned the CAF Champions League final in Casablanca. It was one of my proudest moment in my career. It also came with some handsome financial reward,” he added.Kenyan midfielder Sven Yidah opens up on his stint with PSL side Marumo GallantsCheruiyot, who takes pride in nurturing the fast-rising Kelvin Maina, a youthful centre referee who has been laboring in the top flight is one of the experienced referees in Kenya as he got the FIFA badge in 2013.Out of the 16 Kenyan whistlers who have the prestigious badge on the chest, only the trio of Caroline Kiles (2012), Mary Njoroge (2008) and Jane Cherono (2012) got it earlier than Cheruiyot.Cheruiyot burst into the continental limelight in 2015 during the Africa U-17 played in Niger before being elevated to the U-20 championships two years later in Zambia.He officiated his first Chan Championship in 2016 in Rwanda and was selected for duty in the 2018 edition which was played in Morocco.EXCLUSIVE: How a career-ending knee injury thrust Omondi into the world of refereeingHe officiated in the CAF U20 final in Zambia. He was also part of the officials who oversaw the CHAN 2021 final in Cameroon.Further, he was involved in the 2022 AFCON semifinal as well as the 2020 Tokyo Olympics third-place playoff.The Nakuru Wazee player was part of the set of officials who manned the 2019 CAF Champions League quarter-finals match pitting Wydad Casablanca and Horoya.He advises upcoming referees to embrace integrity and patience if they are to soar and flourish at the big stage.
