Two Kenyan referees get nod to officiate at Tokyo Olympics

Assistant referee Gilbert Cheruiyot in action during a past match. Cheruiyot and Mary Njorge will officiate in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.


Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • Twenty-five centre referees, 50 assistant referees, 20 video match officials and four support referees will be in Tokyo for the Summer Games
  • Tokyo’s assignment adds to what has been a busy calendar for both Cheruiyot and Njoroge.
  • No Kenyan team football team has ever qualified for the Olympics.

Kenyan assistant referees Gilbert Cheruiyot and Mary Njoroge have been selected to officiate in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics men and women’s football tournaments.

The two top referees are part of the 99 officials selected by Fifa from 51 countries, to take charge of football matches at the prestigious global event, slated for July 23 to August 8.

Eyes on the pitch: Mary Njoroge in action during a past Mashemeji derby between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards.

Photo credit: Pool |

Twenty-five centre referees, 50 assistant referees, 20 video match officials and four support referees will be in Tokyo for the Summer Games.

No Kenyan team football team has ever qualified for the Olympics.

Tokyo’s assignment adds to what has been a busy calendar for both Cheruiyot and Njoroge.

Njoroge in April officiated in the Caf Confederation Cup group stage match pitting Cameroon’s Coton Sport against Zambia’s Napsa Stars.

Coton thumped Napsa 6-1.

Mary Njoroge in action during the Caf Confederation Cup match.

Photo credit: Pool |

Cheruiyot in January assisted his compatriot Peter Waweru Kamaku in officiating the 2021 Total Africa Nations Championships quarterfinals match between Mali and Congo at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Cameroon. Mali beat Congo 5-4 in post-match penalties after the two sides battled to a barren draw.

The duo also officiated the competition’s mouthwatering final between defending champions Morocco and Mali at the same venue. Morocco humbled Mali 2-0.