Chronicle Editor
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLY decorated former Fifa referee Felix Tangawarima will facilitate two Fifa-sanctioned elite referees and technical referees’ instructors’ courses set for Bulawayo this month.
The elite referees’ course, targeting 30 officials, will run from November 19-23 with a similar number for technical referees’ instructors going into class from November 23-27 to equip them with modern skills.
Referees will undergo high level theory lessons, including integrated practical sessions, culminating in a physical fitness test.
“These courses come at the most appropriate time for Zimbabwean football as resumption of competitions is peaking after close to a 20-month break due to a series of Covid-19 lockdowns. The two courses come after another very successful Zifa and Fifa referees’ assessors/commissioners course held in Bulawayo in September,” said Zifa communications and competitions manager Xolisani Gwesela in a statement.
He said Zifa strongly believes that continuous investment in referees’ development is key to raising refereeing standards in Zimbabwe.
“Already, we have seen more of our referees and match assessors and commissioners getting more international assignments. We are in the right trajectory and soon we will have our officials officiating at major tournaments like the Africa Cup of Nations and the Fifa World Cup,” said Gwesela.
In 2019, the Zifa Referees Committee, chaired by Bryton Malandule, managed to host three Fifa courses in one calendar year.
This month’s courses come against the backdrop of two controversial officiating during the opening weekend of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season in Bulawayo and Harare.
At Luveve Stadium where Bulawayo Chiefs played host to Triangle, tempers flared moments before the end of match after referee Prince Mathumo failed to award a penalty to Triangle United following a foul inside the box on veteran striker Ralph Matema by Ben Nyaunzvi.
Assistant referee Brighton Nyika flagged for a penalty, but Mathumo overruled him and adjudged that Mathema was offside.
The decision resulted in Triangle coach Taurayi Mangwiro calling his players off the field in protest.
There were unbelievable incidences at the National Sports Stadium, involving Dynamos captain Partson Jaure.
Firstly Jaure lunged on Yadah player Godfrey Mukambi right in front of referee Munyaradzi Majoni, who thought it was a yellow card offence. Jaure was again at the centre of controversy when he deflected a goal bound shot with his hand, but instead of awarding a penalty, Majoni awarded a corner kick.
Majoni has since been slapped with a two-month suspension by Zifa, while no action was taken on Bulawayo-based Mathumo, who is also on the Fifa panel.
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