adminSikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWEAN referees have once again been overlooked for an international tournament after none was appointed to officiate at the Cosafa Under-17 championships that run from July 22-31 in Mauritius.
According to a list of officials released by Lynda Greeff, the Cosafa media officer, there will be seven centre referees and six assistant referees to take charge of the biannual tournament. The officials come from Botswana, Madagascar, Seychelles, South Africa and host nation Mauritius.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe did not register to take part in the tournament due to budgetary constraints, according to Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela.
“We have financial challenges, hence our absence from the tournament. We are also assembling a team for the December African Union Sports Council Region Five tournament which will be held in Angola,” said Gwesela.
The absence of Zimbabwe leaves seven countries from Cosafa that will be joined by tournament guests Kenya from East Africa.
The countries were grouped into two groups of four, with Group A having hosts Mauritius, South Africa, Namibia and Seychelles, while Group B has Kenya, Malawi, Madagascar and Zambia.
The top two countries in each group will advance to the next stage of the tournament.
Online Reporter