Muscat: Oman Football Association (OFA) is organising a farewell match for star footballer Fouzi Basheer, after the veteran player announced his retirement from international football recently. Fawzi is expected to make his last appearance against Australia when Oman play in the last round of 2014 World Cup Qualifiers on March 26.
In a statement to the media yesterday, Sayyid Khalid Al Busaidi, chairman of OFA admitted that Basheer's absence would be a big loss to the national team. "Basheer is a great player and we will miss him. His absence will be a big loss to us," he said.
Basheer who began playing for the national at the age of 17, has competed in various qualification matches including the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. His biggest achievement, however, is guiding Oman to win the 19th Gulf Cup at home.
OFA is planning to host the match in Basheer's hometown in Salalah. "It would be a fitting farewell to not only Basheer but also to former player Mohammed Rabe'ea. We are in the final stages of planning this match and I am sure everyone will come to support these two great players. Their services will always be remembered," Sayyid Khalid added.
Meanwhile, Sayyid Khalid will attend Fifa's technical development committee meeting in Zurich today.
Issa Hayatou, the president of CAF will chair the meeting in the presence of Fifa president Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini, president of Uefa. The committee will discuss several topics, especially, the new rules proposed by Fifa recently.