Fresh test for Matemera

Petros Kausiyo Deputy Sports Editor
TOP Zimbabwe referee Norman Matemera is relishing yet another tough CAF call of duty after the Harare policeman was tasked with taking charge of the African Cup of Nations qualifier between Ghana and Sierra Leone next month.

Former African champions Ghana will be at home at the Kumasi Baba Yara stadium for the October 11, Group F encounter.

Matemera whose international refereeing profile has been rising with each passing month has been assigned to officiate the game with the assistance of fellow Zimbabweans Thomas Kusosa, Luckson Mhara and fourth official Philani Ncube.

Germain Ngulamba of Central African Republic will be the match official while Rwanda’s Celestine Ntagungira is the Referees’ assessor. The Black Stars will be under pressure to win the encounter, their third in the group after suffering a surprise 1-0 defeat by Kenya in Nairobi in their second game.

An own goal by Nicholas Opoku in the first half saw the Black Stars stumble to their first defeat in the qualifiers for the 2019 Nations Cup, scheduled for Jamboree.

The Black Stars will be out to quickly redeem themselves in these qualifiers and Zimbabwe’s Matemera will be the man to preside over the encounter.

Matemera was yesterday humbled by the latest in a string of CAF appointments that have been coming his way.

“It humbles me quite a lot to note that CAF has faith and sees something special in me and my fellow referees by their continued appointments. This trust therefore calls for us Zimbabwe referees to continue working hard.

“It’s only a matter of time before we reach the stars. Behind the scenes everyone associated with Zimbabwe referees is working hard in ensuring that when we go out of the country we will be true ambassadors of this motherland.”