Catch Them Young’ Referees Shine in WAFU B African Schools Football Championship Final

Ferdinand | EducationGhana |  November 25 | Catch Them Young’ Referees Shine in WAFU B African Schools Football Championship Final

Two young referees from Ghana’s Catch Them Young program, Angelious Akurugu Adongo and Nafizah Jenenuba Dauchebile, showcased their skills during the WAFU B African Schools Football Championship, earning officiating roles in the highly anticipated Boys’ final match.

Held at the FeNIFooT Technical Centre, the final featured Cote d’Ivoire and Benin, with Adongo serving as the Centre Referee and Dauchebile as the Fourth Official. Their stellar performance during the group stages and semi-finals earned them these prominent assignments.

Background on the Referees

• Angelious Akurugu Adongo hails from the Upper East Region, while
• Nafizah Jenenuba Dauchebile represents the Upper West Football Region.

Both referees are products of the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) Catch Them Young initiative, which aims to nurture passionate young individuals into competent referees.

The Impact of ‘Catch Them Young’

Launched in 2020 by GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, the Catch Them Young program has successfully trained young referees to handle high-stakes matches across Ghana. Graduates of the program are now officiating in:

• The Women’s Premier League
• The Division One League
• The FA Cup (men’s and women’s categories)
• Regional-level matches

A Growing Legacy

The program’s success reflects the GFA’s commitment to building a strong foundation for Ghanaian refereeing. According to the GFA, the development and recognition of young referees like Adongo and Dauchebile are pivotal for the growth and excellence of football in the country.

Their performances in international tournaments such as the WAFU B African Schools Football Championship signal a bright future for Ghanaian refereeing on the global stage.