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Innocent Kurira, [email protected]

THE Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) has announced a series of significant assignments for Zimbabwean referees throughout the month of February.

These engagements demonstrate the growing recognition of Zimbabwe’s match officials on the international stage.

The month kicks off with an important Zifa Panel Referees Course, scheduled to take place from February 13-16 in Harare.

This course aims to enhance the knowledge, skills, and performance of Zimbabwean match officials, ensuring they are well-prepared to meet the demands of top-level football.

In line with Zifa’s commitment to the development of refereeing talent, the country will also be represented at prestigious global events.

Owen Manenda, one of Zimbabwe’s top referees, will be attending the New Fifa Panel Referees Course in Egypt from February 23-27.

This offers a valuable opportunity for Manenda to refine his expertise alongside the best in the world, contributing to Zimbabwe’s continued presence on the global football stage.

On the continental level, several Zimbabwean referees will be officiating in key fixtures during the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers. Faith Mloyi has been appointed as the Match Commissioner for the match between Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea on February 20, while Sabelo Maphosa will serve as the Referees Assessor for the fixture between Burundi and Burkina Faso on February 21. Stella Ruvinga, another seasoned official, has been assigned the role of Match Commissioner for the Uganda vs. Ethiopia encounter on the same day.

Further strengthening Zimbabwe’s representation in Africa, Dominica Melusi and Thanks Nyahuye will be officiating in the WAFCON qualifiers on February 26. Their involvement in these high-profile matches underscores the growing recognition of Zimbabwean referees across the continent.

Joshua Tigere, ZIFA’s Referees Manager, praised the tireless efforts of the country’s match officials. “These appointments highlight the strength and integrity of Zimbabwean refereeing. Our officials are continuously being entrusted with key assignments across Africa, and we are confident that they will continue to represent the nation with distinction,” he said.