Cameroonian born Alioum Sidi FIFA International is ranked 17th on the world ranking of referees. The 37-years-old had a good year as he officiated close to 80 matches in 2019 notably the opening fixture 32nd edition of the 2019 AFCON between host Egypt and Zimbabwe as well as the final of the same the tournament pitting Algeria against Senegal.
Alioum Sidi became an International referee in 2008. He refereed in the 2011 U17 African Cup of Nations in Burkina Faso and World cup of the same category in Mexico. That same year Sidi also handled the away leg of the African Champions League finals.
Alioum Sidi’s 17th position on the rankings makes him the best referee in the African continent presently. The second African on the list was Gambia’s Bakary Papa Gassama which occupied the 21st position.
Selected journalists and experts from 90 countries around the World took part at the 2019 annual election of the Top Referee, the 33th time it has been carried out by the IFFHS since 1987. Damir Skomina, the Slovenian Referee (43 years old), won the Award with a little margin before Felix Brych, the winner of 2017.
Jonathan MBIAOH
