adminHarare Bureau
ZIMBABWEAN referees Norman Matemera and Tapfumanei Mutengwa have received a vote of confidence from regional body Cosafa as they have been included among the officials who will be on duty during the two-week football jamboree that begins in Zambia today. Both officials have been on the Fifa panel since 2010. Matemera, who was recently at the centre of the storm for the stoppage time that allowed Dynamos an equaliser in a super-charged Premiership match against Highlanders, is one of the three centre referees recognized by Fifa alongside Thabani Bamala and Ruzive Ruzive.
Mutengwa also appears on the list of assistant referees. Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela yesterday confirmed the duo’s participation at the tournament.
“It’s good that we have two of our referees being recognised to take part in the officiating of the matches at the Cosafa tournament. They are already in Zambia for the tournament and they were confirmed after passing a fitness test yesterday (Thursday),” said Gwesela.
The Zimbabwean duo will also be joined by top referees from the region who include South Africa’s Victor Gomes and Zakhele Siwela.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe national team is expected to begin camp on Monday before their scheduled departure on Wednesday. The Warriors will leave with a delegation of 25 people as they hope to launch a successful campaign in defence of their title.
The Warriors, who are also the record four-time holders, will begin their quest against Malawi next Saturday.
Zifa last month announced a 20-member squad of locally based players led by Highlanders midfielder Masimba Mambare.
Coach Klaus Dieter Pagels will be assisted by Lloyd Mutasa on the bench as the other assistant Peter Ndlovu and goalkeeper’s coach Nkululeko Dhlamini will not be travelling.
Zifa vice-president Ndumiso Gumede will be the head of delegation. Zimbabwe are the only team travelling by road of all the 13 participants.
“Everything is in place for the team’s participation in terms of the players’ welfare. Cosafa will cover all the food and accommodation expenses while the winning bonuses will be the responsibility of the association,” said Gwesela.
The sponsors have poured in over R1m in prizes for this year’s competition, which makes a welcome return following a two-year hiatus.
The winning country will go home with R500 000, while the runners up in the 20 July final will receive R250 000. The team that collects the bronze medal will earn R150 000.
There will also be a plate competition this year for the losing quarter-finalists, with the winner of that taking home R100 000.
Cosafa are also hoping to promote exciting, attacking football for fans, and will give two R30 000 prizes to the nations that score the most goals in the pool stages, ensuring there will be no ‘dead rubbers’ in the competition.
There will also be prizes for Player of the Tournament, Top Goalscorer and Top Goalkeeper, with each of these taking R10 000.
Online Reporter