Zimbabwe referees for world cup qualifier

DESPITE the Warriors' absence from the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers following a ban by the world football governing body, four Zimbabwean officials have been appointed to handle tomorrow's first leg tie between Ghana and Comoros.

Matabeleland South-based official Salani Ncube will be the second assistant referee to Harare-based policeman Norman Matemera, the whistleman, while Tapfumaneyi Mutengwa will be the first assistant and Ruzive Ruzive the fourth official in the qualifier to be played at the Stade Said Mohammed Cheikh in Moroni in the Indian Ocean island nation.

Yigzaw Ambaw Bezuayehu from Ethiopia will be the referees' assessor and France's Ismael Locate the match commissioner.

The quartet is part of nine Zimbabwean match officials comprising three referees and six assistant referees that are on the Fifa referees' panel.

Thabani Bamala is the other referee while Bryton Nyika, Bongani Gadzikwa, Abraham Manda, Mutengwa and Minda High School teacher Ncube complete the assistant referees' list.

Ghana, coached by former Chelsea interim coach Avram Grant, will be favourites to collect maximum points ahead of the return leg at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on November 17.