Matemera misses out Norman Matemera
Norman Matemera

Norman Matemera

Harare Bureau
TOP Zimbabwe referee Norman Matemera was left a distraught man after perilously coming close to securing a place on the panel of match officials for the 2018 African Nations Championships before a pulled muscled cruelly ruled him out of contention.

Matemera was part of cast of top referees who converged for an elite course which was used by the Confederation of African Football on November 27 to December 2 to select the officials who will handle matches at the h Chan tournament in Morocco next month.

But after reportedly doing so excellently well including posting his best time ever in sprints, cruel fate dealt the Harare referee a blow as he left Cairo, Egypt a disappointed man after pulling a muscle.

Although Matemera later completed the manadatory 10 rounds of jogging during the course, he had already incurred the injury which medical experts later advised Caf  would need at least five to six weeks to heal.

By then the Chan tournament would have roared into life.

The 35 year-old Matemera said although he was disappointed, he remains optimistic that he will get another chance to be considered by Caf for a major tournament.

Matemera’s injury, also means that Zimbabwe would have to once again contend with having to watch as referees from other countries such as Algeria, Angola, Burundi, Namibia, Zambia, South Africa, Rwanda and Ghana provide officials for the Chan tournament.

“Obviously I am very disappointed but I also understand that it is part of the game.

“I was disappointed but nonetheless there is nothing I can do when the body has snapped but there is room for next time and I am now seeing a physiotherapist as part of my recovery programme.

“I must say though that we learnt a lot at the course and as Zimbabwean referees we need to be recognised and we always discuss this among ourselves and urge each other as we aspire to have one of us on the Caf Elite A panel,’’ Matemera said.

Zifa Referees’ Committee vice-chairman Gladmore Muzambi said although they were concerned with the absence of Zimbabwean officials at such tournaments like Chan and the African Cup of nations, they were “slowly making some progress’’ with the current crop of match officials.

Not even Harare referee Ruzive Ruzive who has won back to back Castle Lager Premiership Referee of the Year titles could make the cut.

Instead was Ruzive’s Harare compatriot Matemera who came closest to being selected.

Matemera is also the only Zimbabwean on the Caf Elite B panel, which enables him to be considered for such competitions like the Chan tournament.

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