August 31, 2016 By Sahr Morris Jr.
Madagascar’s Hamada el Moussa Nampiandraza will be the central man for Sierra Leone’s crucial 2017 African Cup of Nations Group I qualifiers against the Elephant of Ivory Coast on Saturday at Stade De Bouaké, Bouaké.
Leone Stars will travel to the Ivorian second capital city to face the African Champions at the Peace Stadium. The visitors only need to win the game to qualify for the 2017 Nations Cup finals in Gabon while a draw is enough for the home side to have the chance to defend their title.
Because of the importance of the clash, Hamada el Moussa Nampiandraza was selected by the African football governing body to take full control of the final day decider.
The 32-year-old official was the man in charge of the U-23 finals between Nigeria and Algeria in December 2015 in Dakar, and a month later he officiated the 2016 Orange African Nations Championship opener between Rwanda and the Ivory Coast, a match which the Ivoirians won 1-0.
He was also in control of the world football-governing body, FIFA’s crunch 2014 World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Flames of Malawi, which ended 1-1 at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar.
In March 2015, Nampiandraza was given thumps up by Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane as he was the whistle-man in charge of their aggressive and slightly ill-tempered CAF Champions League clash with TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The referee from Madagascar produced a red card in the 42nd minute when he sent off Mazembe’s Chango Kabaso for a reckless tackle on Anthony Laffor.
He also dished out numerous yellow cards throughout the first leg of the first round tie in the continental club championship.
He has also officiated in the Africa Cup of Nations final in 2012, 2013 and 2015. According to Cafonline.com, Nampiandraza will be assisted by Burundian Jean Claude Birumushahu and Theogene Ndagijimana from Rwanda.