A TEAM of four Tanzanian referees has been chosen by FIFA to officiate the highly anticipated World Cup qualifying match between Botswana and Algeria.

The game, crucial for both nations' hopes of reaching the finals, will be held in Francistown, Botswana, on March 21, 2025.

The selected officials are Ahmed Arajiga (pictured), Kassim Mpanga, Said Hamdani, and Salum Nasir. This appointment marks another significant milestone for Tanzanian referees on the international stage.

For Arajiga, this follows his recent officiating duties in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage match between RS Berkane (Morocco) and Stellenbosch (South Africa) on January 19, 2025.
 
 He also has experience refereeing in the CAF Champions League, notably the second-leg clash between Red Arrows and TP Mazembe on September 14th of the previous year.

The selection of this Tanzanian refereeing team for international duty is not a new occurrence. Notably, on November 14th, Arajiga, working with Frank Komba, Said Hamdani, and Elly Sasii, took charge of the AFCON qualifying match between Lesotho and the Central African Republic, further cementing their reputation in African football.

Arajiga, a FIFA-badged referee since early 2022, continues to build his international reputation. His consistent performance, recognized in the domestic league, has earned him increasing international assignments.

The upcoming match sees Algeria, leading Group G with nine points alongside Mozambique, face Botswana, who are tied for third with six points alongside Guinea and Uganda. Somalia currently sits at the bottom of the group with no points.

The upcoming match at the Obert Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown will see Botswana face Algeria in Group G. Botswana carries the weight of past defeats, having lost both encounters against Algeria in the AFCON 2025 qualifying group stage.

This selection highlights FIFA's confidence in the quality of Tanzanian referees and their ability to handle high-pressure international matches.

Arajiga's experience in handling high-stakes matches is evident in his recent Mainland Premier League assignments.
 This season, he officiated the tightly contested 0-0 draw between Young Africans and JKT Tanzania and the crucial Azam vs. Young Africans match, where he sent off Ibrahim Hamad "Bacca."
 His ability to manage such intense encounters will be invaluable as he takes charge of the World Cup qualifier between Botswana and Algeria.