Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
MUTARE select might not have made a huge impact in the recent Zambezi Challenge Cup played at Harare Sports Club in Harare, but one of their own – referee, Gideon Myambo – gave a good account of the state of the game in the province with a fine match officiating performance.
In the group stages of the contest, Mutare select got the better of Police Defenders 24-5, before being condemned to a 0-41 defeat at the hands of Zimbabwe Cheetahs.
The Mutare side suffered a 21-41 defeat against Old Georgians in the cup quarter finals.
After losing the quarters, Mutare select went into the plate semis where they beat Old Miltonians 33-19, but went on to succumb 10-38 against Zambia in the plate finals.
The Zambezi Challenge Cup saw Kenya Morans being crowned the men’s Cup winners, while Zambia ladies were the women’s Cup winners.
Zambia were the men’s plate winners.
Ideally, teams that lose in the first cup quarter finals play a back draw, meaning the four teams that lose the quarter finals go straight into the plate semi-finals and the winners will play the plate final.
However, it was Myambo’s flawless performance with the whistle that shone so brightly and became a good advert for the standards of the game in Manicaland.
Myambo said: “All thanks and glory to the Almighty for giving me this career, my family too for always supporting me including Walter Njowa who introduced me to rugby refereeing.
“I also want to thank Bruce Gumbo, my fitness trainer for always keeping me on my toes, and everyone else who has backed me since Day One, may the Lord bless you.”
He gave a brief account of his early days as a match official.
“I was introduced to match officiating by Walter Njowa. I became a full time referee in 2022 after hanging my boots, having represented Zimbabwe in both 15s and 7s and being MSC captain.
“My dream is to keep on refereeing at the highest level in Zimbabwe, and get more exposure in Africa and the world at large. I am inspired by fellow referees, Talent Gandiwa and Precious Pazani,” he said.
Some of the international and domestic assignments that Myambo has handled include Pumas referees training camp, Zambia Independence Cup, Rob Ferreira Rugby Festival in South Africa, Majuba final in South Africa, Botswana league semi-final, Zambia league semi-final, Zambezi Challenge final (Zimbabwe lady Cheetahs v Zambia), Gashawks against Valke (AR), Victoria Cup Uganda, the Safari 7s (final Kenya lionesses against Costa Blanca Spain), Kenya Enterprise Cup final (Kabras Sugar against Menengai Oilers), Under-20 Barthes Cup, Paramount Garments men’s 7s Olympic qualifiers, Manicaland Referee of the Year, Paramount Garments men’s league final (OH against Harare Sports Club), Paramount garments Under 20 league final (OGs against Pitbulls), Manicaland Rugby Board men’s league final (OC against MSC), Drodropolous tournament final and the Grid Cup.
Multi-award winning match official, Myambo, has scooped numerous milestones including being named Harare Province referee-of-the-year second runner-up, ZRRS rookie-of-the-year, ZRRS most improved referee, ZRRS most disciplined referee, ZRRS traveller-of-the-year as well as ZRRS referee-of-the-year.
