VAR to be used in Qatar vs Harambee Stars friendly

Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is set to be deployed in a match featuring the Kenyan national team for the first time ever when the Harambee Stars take on 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar.

The match has been scheduled for Thursday, September 7, 2023, at the Al Janoub Stadium in Doha, Qatar, starting at 6.15 pm EAT.

Qatari VAR official Mohammed Al Sherif will lead the VAR team and shall be assisted by his compatriot Ramzan Al Naimi.

Abdulrahman Al Jassim will preside over the match as the center referee and will be assisted by Taleb Salem (First Assistant Referee), Saoud Ahmad (Second Assistant Referee), and Yousef Al Sharshani (Fourth Official).

Abdulrahman Hussein has been appointed Referee Assessor.

The match shall be the Stars’ fourth international friendly this year since Kenya’s return to international football.

Engin Firat charges are expected to return home after the game against Qatar so as to prepare for the clash against South Sudan.

The last time Kenya faced the Bright Stars, Elvis Rupia made the difference as his strike was enough to separate the two teams at Nyayo Stadium.

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The new Singida Fountain Gate FC hitman will be bidding to add something to his goal account having opened it in the clash against South Sudan in March 2021.

Stars take on the two sides in preparation for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers where Kenya is in group F alongside Ivory Coast, Burundi, Gambia, Seychelles, and Gabon.

Kenya finished third in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers behind Uganda and Mali with the lawyer proceeding to the second round of the qualifiers.