Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, Zimpapers Sports Hub
THEY can’t stop climbing dizzy heights!
The Zimbabwean duo of referee Brighton Chimene and Confederation of African (Caf) instructor Felix Tangawarima have been selected for the 2025 Afcon Preparation Course, ahead of Africa’s continental showpiece.
The Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals will be held in Morocco in December this year and January 2026.
“As the countdown to Afcon 2025 in Morocco gathers momentum, Caf has unveiled the list of referees and officials selected for the Afcon Preparation Course, running from 8-13 November 2025 in Cairo, Egypt. Among them are two proud Zimbabweans, namely Brighton Chimene and Felix Tangawarima,” said Zifa in a communique.
Chimene, who is the reigning Zimbabwe Referee of the Year was recently elevated to the Elite B class on the Fifa panel.
For the upcoming course, Chimene was chosen as one of Africa’s Video Match Officials (VMOs), and he joins the continent’s top VAR specialists preparing to ensure technological precision and fairness at Africa’s biggest football stage.
Chimene has continued to etch his name into the annals of Zimbabwean football as he recently became the first local referee chosen to officiate at the 2025 African Nations Championship (Chan) that ran from 2 to 30 August across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
His appointment by Caf marked a major milestone for Zimbabwe’s officiating ranks, signalling renewed continental recognition for local refereeing standards.
At the age of 35, Chimene was the first Zimbabwean referee to participate in a top-tier Caf tournament since Kenny Marange, who officiated at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
The Chan tournament is a high-profile competition featuring players exclusively drawn from domestic leagues across the continent and Chimene’s selection signified Zimbabwe’s return to the spotlight in African football officiating.
Chimene and Tangawarima’s achievements are expected to serve as motivation for aspiring referees across the country, illustrating the possibilities that come with hard work and consistent performance. Chimene, who is the four-time Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League Referee of the Year is now one level lower to officiate at the Fifa World Cup. — @FungaiMuderere.
