One of Africa’s finest ever referees, Bamlak Tessema Weyesa, has called time on his incredible career.

Tessema, 44, was born in Addis Ababa and has been a referee since 2003, making it over two decades in the game.

He went on to become a FIFA referee in 2009, officiating in a match between Djibouti and Somalia in 2010 for his first international outing.

“I formally announce my retirement from international football refereeing, a journey that has been both an honour and a privilege. Representing Ethiopia on the global stage and serving under FIFA’s guidance has been one of the greatest experiences of my life,” wrote Tessema, in a letter to FIFA.

“Throughout my career, I have been committed to upholding the principles of integrity and professionalism that FIFA champions. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities, mentorship, and support that I have received, which have allowed me to grow both personally and professionally.

“As I step away from refereeing, I carry with me invaluable experiences and memories, and I remain committed to supporting the development of refereeing in Ethiopia and beyond in any way I can.”

Tessema rose to prominence by officiating numerous high-profile African international tournaments, FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Initially, he retired in 2023 but was persuaded to continue.

“You have to be passionate about the game. You won’t get rich, but you will travel to a lot of countries, and you can enhance your reputation in your country and be as famous as some football stars if you succeed,” Tessema said in past interviews.

He is also a medical researcher, a clinical coordinator, and a sociology graduate from Addis Ababa University.