FIFA Picks Doue For Kenya, Nigeria Match

[Folami David]

World football-governing body, FIFA has appointed Ivorian official Noumandiez Doue as referee for next month's 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Kenya's Harambee Stars in Nairobi.
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In a brief on the match transmitted to the Nigeria Football Federation, FIFA named Doue, who became an international referee in 2004, alongside his compatriot Songuifolo Yeo (Assistant Referee 1),Burundian Jean-Claude Birumushahu (Assistant Referee 2) and another Ivorian Denis Dembele to take charge of the game scheduled for Wednesday, June 5 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
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The same venue hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier between both countries, when the Super Eagles needed a win and also needed Mozambique to hold Tunisia in Maputo same day, to qualify for the showpiece in South Africa. In the event, the Eagles won 3-2 while Mozambique pipped Tunisia 1-0 in Maputo to send Nigeria to the World Cup finals.
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Next month's duel is no less important, with the Eagles only ahead of the Group F on goals difference (from Malawi) and the Malawians to play two consecutive home matches while Nigeria play away consecutively.
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Born Noumandiez Desire Doue in 1970, the Ivorian arbiter was at the centre when the Super Eagles defeated Rwanda 2-0 in a 2013 Cup of Nations qualifier in Calabar 11 months ago, and also when the Eagles drew 2-2 with Guinea's Syli Nationale in Abuja on October 8, 2011 in a 2012 Cup of Nations qualifying game.
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Yeo, who was also born in 1970, became an international assistant referee in 2004 while Burundian Birumushahu, 41, also became an international assistant referee in 2004. Ivorian Dembele, the Fourth Official, is 35 and became an international referee four years ago.

[Shola Sholaz]

The clash is going to be a very tough one cause both teams would play to win the game. I hope the ref is experienced.

[Folami David]

Let's just hope we won't have a case of referee ruining a game. That is the last thing Nigeria needs right now. It's a must win game.