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Controversial Botswana referee Joshua Bondo has been appointed to handle the CAF Champions League round one return match pitting Esperance du Tunis against Gor Mahia.

He will be assisted by Kitso Madondo Sibanda and Meshack Medupi, all from Botswana, as first and second assistants respectively.

The tie that ended in a barren draw in the first stanza will be staged at Stade Olympique Rades, Tunis on 17th March.

Bondo, 40, is regarded as one of Africa’s top whistle blowers and has officiated some of the continent’s top fixtures including the 2016 CHAN final in Rwanda.

He was at the center of Ghana versus Uganda group D opener in the 2017 AFCON in Gabon.

But Bondo has also attracted loads of controversy in his line of duty.

In 2017, he was expelled from the Cosafa Castle Cup in South Africa after denying the Warriors two penalties in a group decider against Madagascar.

His handling of the game, especially at those two critical moments, earned him widespread condemnation in the region and the continent at large.

Bondo cancelled Augustine Mulenga’s 29th minute goal against Nigeria in the Russia World Cup qualifier last year in Uyo earning himself the wrath of the Zambians, who lost the game narrowly.

Video replays showed that the goal was legitimate and should have stood.

Back at home in the Botswana Premier League, Mochudi Center Chiefs communications’ manager Clifford Mogomotsi in 2008 accused him of “always” giving a Chiefs’ player a red card whenever he is in charge of their game.

African Football Writer contributing @Soka25east | Commentator; appeared on @MySoccerAfrica, @KweseSports, @ntvkenya, others | Keen follower of African Football. E-mail: bonfaceosano@gmail.com

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