Highly rated Burundian referee Pacifique Ndabihawenimana will be the man to officiate Tuesday’s mouthwatering FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifier between Tunisia and Zambia.
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The 36 year old will be assisted by his compatriots Emery Niyongabo and Pascal Ndimunzigo while Rwandan referee Louis Hakizimana will serve as fourth referee.
It will be second time the East African referee will be handling a match involving the Chipolopolo Boys. He was in-charge of the CHAN 2020 quarter final 3-1 defeat to Morocco.
The Burundian was in-charge of the 2020/21 CAF Champions League final between Egyptian side Al Ahly and Kaizer Chiefs at Mohamed V stadium in Casablanca on July 17, 2021.
Ndabihawenimana made his breakthrough on the continent in 2014 and has gone to officiate matches in both CAF Confederations Cup and Champions League.
He also refereed at the CAF 2019 African Cup of Nations.
In the last 24 hours, African referees are in the spot light again following the poor officiating which saw Ghana awarded a controversial penalty against South Africa.
SAFA have indicated that they will make a ‘formal complaint’ to both CAF and FIFA.
In 2017, a FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifier between South Africa and Senegal was replayed after the referee was found guilty of match manipulation.
While FIFA called for a replay for South Africa versus Senegal, Football Association of Zambia, FAZ’s complaint against Botswana referee Joshua Bondo’s poor officiating in a Russia 2018 World Cup Qualifying clash against Nigeria fell on deaf ears.
The controversial Bongo ruled out Augustine Mulenga’s goal for offside at the Uyo International Stadium on October 7, 2017 when TV replays showed that it was clear goal.
Last month Moroccan referee Noureddine El Jaafari’s officiating of Zambia’s 2-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea in the Qatar 2022 World Cup Qualifiers left many dismayed.
Despite FAZ lodging a complaint, CAF is yet to respond.
