Waweru, Cheruiyot to officiate at 2021 Afcon in Cameroon
Two Kenyan Referees have been selected to officiate at the 2021 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Cameroon from January 9 to February 6.
Peter Waweru Kamaku and Gilbert Cheruiyot are among 63 match officials who will officiate at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Cameroon next month.
Waweru was selected as a centre referee while Cheruiyot will serve as an assistant referee.
Apart from being a referee Waweru is a lecturer at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
Cheruiyot, who is a Fifa accredited referee, has worked his way up to become one of the most respected match officials in the continent.
Born and raised in Lembus Kiptoim, in Baringo County, Cheruiyot had a dream of playing professional football during his childhood but lack of support seemed to have dimmed his desire.
He chose football instead of athletics, going against the norm in his community, something that did not go down well with his parents who insisted he should focus on his education or try athletics.
Waste of time
“Coming from a community that likes athletics more than any other sport was one of the main challenges.
My community considers playing football a waste of time. And I could receive a beating from my parents whenever they saw me play with my peers,” said Cheruiyot.
But despite being reprimanded by his parent, Cheruiyot never gave up on football.
After his secondary school education, in 2006, he decided to go for a refereeing course.
Since making up his mind of being a referee in 2008, Cheruiyot has never looked backed, rising from officiating local village football tournaments, Division Leagues, FKF Nationwide league to being a common face in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League matches.
“Since 2008, I have developed from the lowest ranks through to the Kenyan Premier league and Confederation of African Football (Caf) matches,” said Cheruiyot.
