Chronicle EditorSikhumbuzo Moyo, Acting Sports Editor
FIVE Zifa panel referees, two of them on the esteemed Fifa panel, failed a fitness test held in Bulawayo this week in a development that has infuriated the Zimbabwe Referees Committee.
The five, Ngqabutho Dlamini, Bekezela Makeka, Tambudzai Tawengwa, Rusina Majo and Mutena Adam were the only ones in a panel of 72 officials that could not go the distance and it means their season is literally over as they can only go for a retest after six weeks.
Of the five, Tawengwa and Majo are on the Fifa panel and Tawengwa was actually the fourth official in the Castle Lager Premiership encounter between Highlanders and FC Platinum at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
A livid Zimbabwe Referees Committee vice chairman Gladmore Muzambi said they were not expecting any referee worth his or her salt to fail the fitness test at this stage of the season.
“If you find a referee failing fitness at this stage of the season then it means that referee will not be serious. This test gauges the barest minimum requirement, meaning referees should pass it with ease and the appointment system will now recognise those who are working hard,” said the Muzambi, a respected and no nonsense referee during his time, a feat that saw him represent the country with aplomb.
He said the referees who failed will now have to work extra hard before the retest after a minimum of six weeks.
“I am not sure if they will be retested in time before the end of season,” said Muzambi in an interview from his base in Harare yesterday.
Online Reporter