New referees committee finalised Omega Sibanda
Omega Sibanda

Omega Sibanda

Lovemore Dube Senior Sports Editor
THE Zimbabwe Football Association yesterday finalised the list of members of the referees’ committee headed by the national body’s vice-chairman Omega Sibanda.Sibanda replaces Ndumiso Gumede who did not seek re-election and heads a committee of referees a majority of whom were at some stage part of the elite class that has officiated Premier and Division One league matches.

Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela said the move was in line with the constitution.

“As per requirements of the constitution, the chairman comes from the board. The board at its recent meeting tasked vice-president Omega Sibanda to be responsible for referees. Consequently, he assumed the position of referees’ chairman and will be deputised by Bryton Malandule,” Gwesela said.

Malandule is a former Zifa panel referee who is a board member of the Zifa Southern Region.

Denis Tshuma, the chairman of Zifa Matabeleland North who has commissioned matches in the past will be the national co-ordinator.
Former Fifa and Zifa panel referee Alfred Zindove will be the secretary-general of the body.

To ensure that there is gender parity, Sabelo Maphosa is the national chief instructor with another official who put the country on the map with good officiating internationally Gladmore Muzambi the chief commissioner.

FC Platinum official Joseph Mususa is the chief fitness trainer.

Masimba Chihowa, the president of the National Association of Primary School Heads, is also part of the national executive as treasurer. He is a former Fifa assistant referee.

In an interview yesterday after the line up was finalised, the body’s chairman Sibanda said Chihowa was part of the team despite fears that his name was on the Asiagate list. The respected educationist from Manicaland took part in elections that brought the present board to office last month.

Sibanda said while Chihowa’s  name could have been mentioned on the list of referees who took charge of the matches, he never was fingered or written to by Zifa.

“As far as we are concerned, what we know is that he never was written to. He has been involved in elections that brought the new board to power,” said the city businessman and football administrator.

Gwesela said Sibanda would next week announce members of the provincial and regional structures.

Some of the provinces and former national executive members were involved in petty fights that saw the name of the organisation dragged through the mud.

“We are a new executive coming to administer the sport the best way we can. It’s a fresh start for all and lets all support one another,” said Sibanda.
Some of the fights have seen some officials allegedly being favoured and pushed to the Fifa panel where they are struggling to get direct appointments.

 

You Might Also Like

Comments