Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
POOR officiating continues to plague Zimbabwean football, with a growing number of controversial decisions directly influencing the outcomes of matches across the country.
The problem has become widespread, affecting various competitions sanctioned by the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), including regional leagues and the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
Reports of questionable officiating have emerged from various parts of the country, including Centenary in Mashonaland Central and Victoria Falls in Matabeleland North.
The latest casualties include Premier Soccer League assistant referee Phikisani Ndlovu, who is among five match officials suspended by ZIFA for breaching Article 22 of the ZIFA Referees Code of Conduct.
Ndlovu, who officiated as assistant referee during FC Platinum’s match against FC Hunters at Mandava on June 27, 2026, received a six-match suspension covering Matchdays 21 to 26 after controversial decisions made during the fixture.
Two other assistant referees, Christian Gumbeze and Praise Mkwevo, were also suspended for violating the same code of conduct.
Referees Chamunorwa Tapiwa and Graduate Mubobo complete the list of suspended officials.
“The sanctions relate to incorrect officiating decisions considered to have materially affected the outcomes of the respective matches, in breach of Article 22 of the ZIFA Referees Code of Conduct,” ZIFA, whose referees’ boss is Faith Mloyi, said in a statement.
The association said the disciplinary action followed careful consideration of reports submitted by match commissioners.
Tapiwa was suspended for six Northern Region Soccer League matches, from Matchday 17 to Matchday 22, following his handling of the Marere FC versus Zambezi G & C FC fixture played at Centenary Ground on June 21, 2026.
Assistant referee Gumbeze received an identical six-match suspension arising from the same match.
In the Southern Region Soccer League, referee Mubobo was also banned for six matches after officiating a fixture at Chinotimba Stadium on June 24, 2026.
His assistant, Mkwevo, was handed a similar six-match suspension for his role in the same match.
“ZIFA remains committed to maintaining high standards of officiating, integrity and accountability across all competitions under its jurisdiction,” the association said.
The latest disciplinary action comes barely two months after ZIFA suspended three match officials from Premier Soccer League duty for similar breaches of the Referees Code of Conduct.
