The four-day programme, running from 1 to 4 October at the Valle de Princes Hotel, brings together 16 referees and assistant referees from the eight UNIFFAC member nations Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, DR Congo, Congo, and So Tom and Prncipe.
Jointly organised by the Central African Football Federations Union UNIFFAC with technical support from both the Confederation of African Football CAF and FIFA, the course focuses on the technical, physical, and psychological preparation of match officials.
Top FIFA Instructors lead the sessions
Among the instructors leading the training are renowned CAF referees Evehe Divine and Noupoue Elvis of Cameroon both seasoned officials with experience at continental and international tournaments.
The experts will conduct sessions on the Laws of the Game, teamwork, match management, and decision-making, complemented by physical fitness tests and video-based analysis.
CAFs Referee Development Department says the training is part of wider efforts to maintain consistency and professionalism across African officiating.
A familiar face in UNIFFAC circles
This marks Lesleys seventh official assignment with UNIFFAC, underscoring his growing role in regional football communication.
He takes on the role just days after serving as Media Officer for the CAF Womens Champions League UNIFFAC qualifiers in Equatorial Guinea a tournament that featured the regions top womens clubs.
UNIFFAC officials say his appointment reflects both his experience and the organisations dedication to transparency and professionalism.
A regional pathway to FIFA standards
The Douala training is part of the CAF and FIFA Referee Development Programme, designed to harmonise officiating standards across Africa and prepare more referees for elite competitions.
Participants will take part in daily practical sessions, classroom instruction, and performance assessments led by CAF and FIFA instructors. The top-performing officials will be considered for advanced international certification.
UNIFFAC says the initiative is part of its long-term strategy to increase the number of FIFA-accredited referees from Central Africa and elevate the quality of officiating across the subregion.