Referee Seechurn Ranindraparsad of Mauritius has been assigned by world football governing body Fifa to take charge of the 2014 World Cup qualifier between Zimbabwe’s Warriors and Guinea at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
According to Fifa, the Mauritian will be assisted by fellow countrymen Bootun Balkrishna who will be the first assistant and second assistant Vally Vivian with Husbungs Dharamveer, also from Mauritius, coming in as the fourth official. Botswana provides Dintle Mphele who will be the referee assessor. Ahmad Ahmad from Madagascar has been appointed the match commissioner.
Rahman Gumbo, seeking his first win as Zimbabwe coach since taking over on a caretaker basis from suspended Norman Mapeza, has called up the experienced duo of midfielders Tinashe Nengomasha and Esrom Nyandoro to add steel and experience to the team.
The Warriors, who will miss Khama Billiat owing to injury, were drawn against Guinea and Mozambique.
The winners of the group will secure a spot in the final 10-nation playoff where they will be paired with one of the other group winners in a two-legged tie for a place in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Bradley Pritchard, who plays for Charlton Athletic in England, has also been included in the squad so has Dynamos hitman Takesure Chinyama, who is expected to partner Knowledge Musona in what appears a dream combination. Willard Katsande and Ovidy Karuru — both recently cleared of match-fixing charges — are also in the squad.
