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Mzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
FIFA panel referee Tambudzai Tavengwa failed a fitness test at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) Stadium on Saturday. Tavengwa was the fourth official at the Highlanders versus Triangle match last Wednesday.
She was one of three out of 82 top-flight referees who failed the test.
Tavengwa, Rudo Nananga and Masvingo-based referee Masakadza Makonese failed to qualify.
Seasoned top referees Bekezela Makeka, Ruzive Ruzive, Philani Ncube, Hardly Ndazi, Thabani Bamala, Salani Ncube, Abraham Manda and Brighton Nyika were among those that passed.
The trio will have another chance to impress next month when they are afforded another opportunity to make it to the Zifa panel, an elite group that officiates PSL and Division One matches.
Fitness tests were done using modern technology which does not have any loopholes for results to be tampered with.
Zifa fitness trainer Joseph Mususa said the use of technology in fitness tests was waterproof.
“No one can claim that the results were manipulated like we have heard in the past, even the most experienced or famous referees can fail the test,” he said.
Mususa said that with new technology, participants could not blame the trainer.
“Participants will only have themselves to blame for failure, test results are not decided by us but by the machines,” he said.
Referees were also advised on their dietary requirements. Mususa said in terms of fitness, local referees were among the best in the region.
Online Reporter