Harambee Stars to experience game-changing technology in Qatar friendly

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Harambee Stars to experience game-changing technology in Qatar friendly

Festus Chuma 18:42 - 06.09.2023

Kenya's Harambee Stars will face Qatar in a friendly match, introducing innovative technology, with Qatari referees officiating the game.

Kenya national football team, the Harambee Stars, is gearing up for a historic friendly match against the 2022 World Cup hosts, Qatar, that will feature the cutting-edge technology of Video Assistant Referee (VAR). 

Scheduled for Thursday, September 7, 2023, at the prestigious Al Janoub Stadium in Doha, Qatar, this encounter promises not only to deliver an exciting spectacle for fans but also an invaluable learning experience for Kenyan players and officials.

VAR, an acronym that has become synonymous with precision and fairness, empowers match officials to review critical incidents such as goals, penalties, red cards, and mistaken identities with the aid of video replays.

According to Football Kenya Federation, the eading the VAR team for the encounter is Qatari VAR official Mohammed Al Sherif, whose expertise and experience in utilizing this technology will be pivotal in ensuring a smooth implementation.

 "The use of VAR in this friendly match will, therefore, not only provide an exciting and enhanced viewing experience for fans but also offer an opportunity for Kenyan players and officials to familiarize themselves with this innovative technology," the FKF statement reads.

Assisting him will be his compatriot Ramzan Al Naimi, reinforcing the international collaboration that underpins this exciting event.

The on-field officiating crew is equally impressive, with Abdulrahman Al Jassim taking the helm as the Center Referee.

Al Jassim's appointment is a testament to his standing in the world of football officiating, and his presence will undoubtedly lend an air of authority to the match. 

Supporting him in maintaining order and fairness on the pitch will be Taleb Salem as the First Assistant Referee, Saoud Ahmad as the Second Assistant Referee, and Yousef Al Sharshani, who will serve as the Fourth Official. 

Their collective experience ensures that this friendly will be conducted with the highest level of professionalism.

In addition to the officials directly involved in the match, Abdulrahman Hussein has been appointed as the Referee Assessor. His role is to evaluate the performance of the officiating team, further demonstrating Qatar's commitment to ensuring a world-class football experience.