Luanda, Angola, Jan. 18, GNA - The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed veteran Seychelles referee Eddy Maillet to handle the Black Stars crucial clash against the Stallions of Burkina Faso on Tuesday.

The Stars need nothing short of victory in the encounter fixed for the newly built November 11 Stadium in Luanda on Tuesday, January 19, to snatch Group B's remaining slot to the quarter-finals stage. Maillet, 43, is widely regarded as one of Africa's finest "Knights of the Whistle" with almost a decade officiating at the highest level. The referee who doubles as the Refereeing Coordinator for the Seychelles Football Federation, is making his fourth appearance at the biennial championships with his debut being at the 2004 edition hosted by Tunisia.

Maillet officiated at the recent FIFA Confederations Cup held in South Africa in 2009 and was at the centre of affairs during the Egypt - Algeria World Cup playoff held in Sudan last November. The referee who received his FIFA badge in 2001 will be assisted by Menkouande Evarist from Cameroon and Angolan Manuel Candido Inancio. Veteran Coulibaly Koman of Mali who is also making his fourth appearance at the CAN since 2004 will act as the fourth official. The Stars lost 1-3 to the Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire in the opening match of the three-team Group B last Friday, which earned the 1992 champions a place at the knockout stages. 18 Jan. 10