South African referees to handle Congo-Ghana clash

Accra, March 21, GNA - South African referee Daniel Bennett will direct affairs from the middle in this weekend's 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Ghana's Black Stars and their Congolese counterparts in Brazzaville.

Bennett will be assisted by compatriots Rezeers Andrew and Siwela Zaichale with Volgraaff Daniel serving as the fourth official. The Group I encounter will take place at the Alphonse Massamba Debat Stadium on Sunday, March 27 at 15h30 Congolese time (14h30GMT). Information gathered by GNA Sports from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) headquarters in Cairo, Egypt indicates that the 35-year old South African, will direct affairs from the middle.

Bennett, regarded amongst the elites of African football referees made his mark after being voted Premier Soccer League best referee of the 2000/2001 season, two years before he attained his FIFA badge. He has handled several high profile games, with the recent one being the final match of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) involving Tunisia and Angola last February in Sudan.

Bennett was also at the helm of the 2010 CAF Champions League final second leg encounter between the eventual winners, TP Mazembe (DR Congo) and Esperance (Tunisia) and the 2009 CAF Confederation Cup final between Stade Malien (Mali) and Entente Setif (Algeria). With respect to matches involving Ghana, Bennett officiated the 2010 World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin at the Baba Yara Stadium on March 29, 2009 as well as the Black Stars lone goal victory over their Nigerian counterparts at the semi finals of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.

Jean Didier Massamba of DR Congo will act as the Match Commissioner. 21 March 2011