Omar Artan will step onto the pitch for one of European football's most prestigious fixtures this summer, officiating the Uefa Super Cup clash between Paris St-Germain and Aston Villa. The appointment is a significant moment for the Somali referee, whose profile on the continental stage continues to grow.
The news carries a bittersweet edge. Artan had been in line for a spot at the World Cup but lost that opportunity before the tournament. To come back from that disappointment and land a high-profile Uefa assignment speaks to the confidence the sport's governing bodies have placed in him.
For football fans across the continent, Artan's journey is one to watch. A Somali official at the centre of a match between two of Europe's biggest clubs is not something we see every day, and it raises a quiet but important question: how many more African referees are ready for the biggest stages, if only given the chance?
Originally published by BBC Africa.