Janny Sikazwe

Zambian referee, Jan Sikazwe will be the centre referee of the explosive match between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Egyptian squad at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna today.

Thirty seven year old Sikazwe, who had once earned the praise of Zambia FA chief Kalusha Bwalya as a talented referee, will be assisted by another Zambian referee, Romeo Kasengele and and Mozambican, Arsenio Chadreque Marengula.

The trio arrived Kaduna yesterday for a match that is very crucial for Nigeria, under the new captaincy of Mikel Obi, to win.

Nigeria trails the seven time African champions with 4 points in three matches, while Egypt have amassed 6 points in three.

A victory in Kaduna will give the Nigerian players a psychological edge as they go to Alexandria Egypt for the second leg, four days after.

Nigeria and Egypt had met 15 times previously, with  Nigeria victors seven times against four by the Pharaohs. Four matches were drawn.

Sikazwe, whose duty is to ensure fair play on the pitch of Ahmadu Bello Stadium is a familiar face to the Nigerian. He was the umpire when Nigeria met Sudan in August last year.  He was also the fourth official  in Nigeria versus Niger  match in january this year, in which  Nigeria beat the neighbours 3-1.

He was born on 26 May 1979 in Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia