Yiembe's dream of officiating at Club World Cup comes true

Gor Mahia's Captain Geoffrey Ochieng, referee Kevin Amol (right) and referee Stephen Yiembe during FKF Premier League match against Murang'a Seals at Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani, on November 11, 2023. [File, Standard]

Kenyan Referee Eliezer Onyango Yiembe has every reason to smile after the government came to his rescue and helped him fulfill his dream of officiating in the Fifa Club World Cup championships.

Yiembe had been denied visa to the United States of America where this year's Club World Cup tournament will be held.

He, however, heaved a sigh of relieve on Wednesday morning after the government, through the Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF), successfully intervened and helped him secure the important travel document.

Yiembe had visited the US Embassy's consulate twice for the visa interview, but his application was turned down on both occasions, spelling doom for the young referee's dream of featuring in the prestigious international assignment.

"After failing to secure the visa in two attempts at the Embassy, I consulted Fifa who advised me to seek government intervention. I am grateful that the Youth Enterprise Development Fund helped me get the approval," said Yiembe.

YDEF Chief Executive Josiah Moriasi said his office responded to the matter after receiving a distress call from Yiembe who, at the time, was on the verge of giving up.

"When I learnt about Yiembe's case, I had escalated the matter to the Principal Secretary for Sports Elijah Mwangi, who took it up with his Foreign Affairs counterpart Korir Sing'oei before help came forth. We are glad the coordinated effort bore fruits," Moriasi said.

Moriasi termed Yiembe's selection as a milestone, which placed Kenya above many other nations in the entire East and Central African region.

"Yiembe stands tall in the entire region as the only representative and we could not afford to see him lose out on this golden opportunity," the CEO said.

Yiembe is one of the only 13 match officials from Africa who were appointed to officiate at the world football tournament, which will be held on June 14-July 14, 2025.

The tournament will have 117 match officials. Fifa said the tournament will have 35 centre referees, 58 assistants and 24 video match officials.

Yiembe began his refereeing career in 2014, and earned his Fifa accreditation in 2018.