Algerian referee Haimoudi Djamel has been appointed by the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) to handle the Ghana versus Mali day two Orange CAN 2012 clash on Saturday in Franceville, Gabon.

Information gathered by GNA Sports in Bata has it that Djamel, an international referee since 2004, will direct affairs from the middle of the cagey encounter which will prove pivotal to the continued stay of both teams at the tournament.

The Algerian is no stranger to Ghanaian matches after handling the Black Stars versus the Red Devils of Congo during the qualifying rounds in Kumasi, which the Stars won 3-1.

Djamel, is one of two Algerian referees at the tournament ranked amongst the elite African referees and he officiated at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia last year.

His last major tournament was at the Pan-Arab Games held in Doha, Qatar last year.

He will be assisted by compatriot Etchiali Abdel Hak and Moussa Yanoussa of Cameroon. The fourth official is Madagascan Nampiandraza Hamada.

It will be recalled that there is no Ghanaian referee at the tournament.

[Kofi Addae, GNA Special Correspondent in Bata, Equatorial Guinea]