CAF president Patrice Motsepe has sent a message to the referees ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, which gets underway on Saturday.
The tournament begins on Saturday night as tournament hosts Cote d'Ivoire take on Guinea-Bissau at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara.
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The former Mamelodi Sundowns president claims they have done a lot to ensure the referees give their best at the tournament.
"I had a meeting with the referees yesterday. Our African referees are doing very well," Motsepe said, as per Sports News Africa.
"On the question of impartiality, independence and quality, we are striving to ensure that our referees are world-class.
"I'm going to salute them and give them courage. We are investing to ensure that the quality of our referees is on a par with the rest of the world,"
Motsepe also confirmed that contingencies have been put in place to avoid another stampede, which overshadowed a last 16 match between Cameroon and Comoros in 2021.
"The Cameroon accident was absolutely avoidable," he said, as per France24.
"For as long as I am president, whether I know or don't know, whether I am aware or not aware, I ultimately have to take responsibility for anything that happens."
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