adminPamela Chiwaya and Kuda Majo Rusina are the two female referees on the Fifa panel with Stella Ruvinga joining Nhanhanga on the list of lines officials.
The revelation is a slap in the face for the referees’ leadership, especially the instructors and match commissioner who cried foul when Zifa imported referees from South Africa and Zambia for the Mbada Diamonds Cup semi-finals and final last year.
Harare-based referees Ruzive Ruzive, Norman Matemera and Thabani Bhamala are the only male referees on the panel for the 2012 season while Hwange-based assistant referee Abraham Manda is in the panel of assistants with Cosmas Chafa, Bongani Gadzikwa, Osward Mukucha, Tapfumaneyi Mutengwa and Alfred Zindove.
According to a circular from Fifa, sent to national associations across the globe, the nominated referees will remain on the Fifa list from 1 January to 31 December and will be available for all Fifa matches falling within the period.
“We are pleased to inform you of the names of the referees, assistant referees, futsal referees and beach soccer referees chosen by the Fifa Referees Committee respectively for each association, for the 2012 internationals. Please pass on our congratulations to the officials who have been selected. We are also enclosing the following material to be distributed to each Fifa official according to their role: Four badges (2012
Fifa Referee, 2012 Fifa Assistant Referee, 2012 Fifa Futsal Referee or 2012 Fifa Beach Soccer Referee), two Fifa My Game is Fair Play badges, one identity card, one Referee or Assistant Referee pin, one set of yellow and red cards, one toss coin, one security questionnaire.
“The referees, assistant referees, futsal referees and beach soccer referees are requested to wear the new badges at every national and international match as from 1 January 2012,” said the world football governing body in its circular to the different associations.
Zimbabwe has the least number of referees on the Fifa panel when compared to Zambia and South Africa with former football minnows Botswana providing an encouraging 10 officials.
Zimbabwe referees on Fifa panel
Men: Thabani Bhamala, Norman Matemera, Ruzive Ruzive
Assistants: Cosmas Chafa, Bongani Gadzikwa, Abraham Manda, Osward Mukucha, Tapfumaneyi Mutengwa, Alfred Zindove
Women: Pamela Chiwaya, Kuda Majo Rusina
Assistants: Rudo Nhanhanga, Stella Ruvinga.
Online Reporter