Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWEAN referee Brighton Chimene, who takes centre stage in continental football once again today when Tanzania host Guinea-Bissau in a TotalEnergies AFCON 2027 qualifier, is leading the rise of local referees on the continent.
Chimene will officiate the Group L encounter at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar, assisted by fellow Zimbabweans Luckson Mhara and Edgar Rumeck, while Owen Manenda will be the fourth official.
The quartet are among several Zimbabwean referees appointed to Confederation of African Football assignments this month, with more international engagements expected in the coming weeks.
FIFA technical instructor Felix Tangawarima, who has played an influential role in the development of referees across Southern Africa, reckons that the continued CAF appointments of Zimbabwean match officials indicate that there is something good about their level of officiating.
“I think this is something to measure how our referees are doing in terms of their officiating,” said Tangawarima.
“If I can tell you, from when we started the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup (matches this season), all the Zimbabwean referees on FIFA, got appointments. I think we have another set going to Tanzania now for Tanzania versus Guinea-Bissau match.
“The women’s referees are going to do the Olympic Games and all the women’s referees are going out. It’s a sign that the referees are doing well.”
The recognition comes despite recurring complaints about refereeing standards in the domestic Premiership, where several controversial decisions have sparked debate during the current season.
In a bid to uphold high standards of officiating, integrity and accountability, ZIFA this year introduced stricter disciplinary measures, resulting in a number of referees being suspended for errors deemed to have materially influenced match outcomes.
The sanctions stem from breaches of Article 22 of the ZIFA Referees Code of Conduct, which deals with professional standards and accountability.
Tangawarima, himself a decorated former Zimbabwean referee, however, stressed that occasional mistakes should not obscure the overall progress being made by local officials.
“Yes, there are mistakes here and there. Like in any other profession, you get some errors of judgement.
“But when we look at the bigger picture. The fact that your referees are actually going out for international games every round, shows that they are not doing badly.
“If they were not doing well, we would not appoint them to go out. So, internationally, we are happy with your referees,” said Tangawarima.
Zimbabwe will also be represented in match administration, with Norman Matemera appointed Match Commissioner for next Tuesday’s TotalEnergies AFCON 2027 qualifier between Zambia and Togo at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
Earlier this month, a number of Zimbabwean officials earned CAF appointments in both the Champions League and Confederation Cup competitions.
A Zimbabwean quartet led by Lawrence Zimondi handled the CAF Confederation Cup clash between ASAS Djibouti Télécom and Egypt’s Zed FC at Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo on September 12.
Zimondi was assisted by Tafadzwa Nkala and Polite Mthunzi Dube, while Thabani Ruzario served as fourth official.
On the same day, another Zimbabwean team officiated the CAF Champions League encounter between Lijabatho FC of Lesotho and C.F.F.A of Madagascar at Dobsonville Stadium in Johannesburg.
Manenda took charge of the match, assisted by Mhara and Rumeck, with Chimene serving as fourth official.
Matemera was also on continental duty as Match Commissioner for the CAF Champions League fixture between Power Dynamos and Al Merrikh in Ndola on September 12.
