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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
TWO local referees Salani Ncube and Norman Matemera will be part of a 19-member officiating panel that will handle matches at the 2016 edition of the Cosafa Senior Cup to be held in Namibia from June11-25.

The two officials’ stature has continued to grow and their appointment is not a surprise.

Nineteen match officials comprising 10 whistlemen and nine assistants have been selected from countries that form the Cosafa block.

Hosts Namibia have the highest number of officials with three, while Madagascar, Botswana, Zambia and Swaziland have one each.

Zifa president Philip Chiyangwa, who also heads the Zimbabwe Referees Committee, welcomed the move and expressed his delight at the recognition and trust bestowed on the country by the organisers.

“I’m very happy and extremely humbled that our very own countrymen will be part of this great regional tournament. We can only pray that they shine as I’m confident they’ll do us proud,” said Chiyangwa.

Zimbabwe was embarrassed last year when Harare-based referee Ruzive Ruzive was expelled from the Cosafa Senior Cup in South Africa after a poor performance.

Ruzive made two glaring mistakes in the Group B decider between Madagascar and Swaziland that ensured the Indian Ocean islanders progressed to the quarter-finals at the expense of Sihlangu.

The organisers replaced Ruzive with Matemera.

The last continental tournament, the African Nations Championship (Chan) held in Rwanda in February had no Zimbabwean referee.

Cosafa referees list

Jimmy Sukazwe (Zambia), Joshua Bondo (Botswana), Victor Gomez (South Africa), Norman Matemera (Zimbabwe), Hamada Namplandraza (Madagascar), Samuel Chirindza (Mozambique), Jackson Pavaza (Namibia), Bernard Camille (Seychelles), Helder Cavarlho (Angola), Salani Ncube (Zimbabwe), Matheus Kanyanga (Namibia), Sifiso Nxumalo (Swaziland), Arsenio Marengula (Mozambique), Soulaimane Amaldini (Comoros), Soul Phatsoane (Lesotho), Jerson Santos (Angola), Vivian Valley (Mauritius), Zakhele Siwela (South Africa), Alfeus Shipanga (Namibia)