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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Referees Committee (ZRC) has requested for two extra slots on the Fifa referees’ list to increase the total number of local match officials from 15 to 17.

Last month, Fifa wrote to its members requesting for nominees for the 2019 Fifa international referees and set October 1 as the deadline for associations to submit names of prospective candidates.

“We actually requested for two extra slots, one for a man and a woman to make a total of 17 referees, up from our current 15,” said ZRC vice-chairman Gladmore Mzambi.

According to the Fifa communiqué, proposed referees shall be at least 25 years old (23 years old in the case of assistant referees) on January 1 of the year for which they have been nominated.

“Referees must be born no later than 31/12/1993 and assistant referees must be born no later than 31/12/1995 in order to ensure a minimum level of experience. Fifa reserves the right to require referees over the age of 45 (born in 1974 or before) to undergo additional technical assessments as well as specific medical examinations and fitness testing on a case-by-case basis,” Fifa wrote to its associations.

“Each candidate must be ranked based on the marks obtained for officiating games at the national level during the 12 months prior to being nominated to the list of international referees. At a minimum, all nominated referees must pass a Fifa-approved fitness test and a medical examination on or after June 2, 2018.”

Legendary Italian referee Pierluigi Collina chairs the Fifa referees committee and is deputised by Taleb Hany Al Raeesi of Qatar.

Mzambi said they were confident their request will be accepted by Collina’s committee.

“We await a positive response from Fifa after they meet. Our thrust is targeting young referees and spreading the allocations across the country, but of course, without compromising on quality,” said Mzambi.

Some of the male referees that could have been considered by ZRC include Ruzive Ruzive of Harare as well as Munyaradzi Majoni from the Midlands.

Zimbabwean refereeing standards have been on the upward trend in the past couple of years largely due to the professionalism adopted by the referees committee.

Zimbabwe referees on Fifa international list

Men
Norman Matemera, Nomore Musundire, Pilan Ncube

Assistant referees: Thomas Kusosa, Luckmore Mhara, Edgar Rumeck, Salani Ncube, Brighton Nyika, Tafadzwa Nkala

Women
Rusina Majo, Thanks Nyahuye, Chipo Mayimbo

Assistant referees: Sekai Simango, Stella Ruvinga, Faith Mloyi