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Sports Reporter
LOCAL referee Norman Matemera’s stock continues to rise with more CAF assignments coming his way.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police officer will handle his fifth CAF Confederation Cup match this year when he takes charge of a match in Uganda early next month.

Matemera will be assisted by Thomas Kusosa and Brighton Nyika when they officiate in a match between Kampala City and Fath Union of Morocco in the East African country.

Philani Ncube will be the fourth official. Kusosa and Ncube are currently in South Africa for the COSAFA Castle Cup which bursts into life tomorrow in North West. They are expected to return in time for their assignment on July 2.

Last month Matemera and his panel were in Swaziland for the match between Mbabane Swallows and South African side Platinum Stars. Nomore Masundire was the fourth official. On the women’s front, Kuda Majo will officiate in the 2018 African U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament match between Botswana and Kenya in Gaborone next month.

The Mutare-based referee will be assisted by Stella Ruvinga as the first assistant and Faith Mloyi while Thanx Nyahuye will be the fourth official on the weekend of 21 to 23 July. Meanwhile, it is back to school for all the Premiership referees when they begin an elite referees course at the National Sports Stadium today.

The refresher course ends on Sunday. A total of 81 referees will participate in the course and only match officials that will be handling league matches on Saturday have been exempted. “It’s a scheduled course for technical and physical fitness test for our elite referees,’’ said ZIFA Referees Committee vice chairperson Gladmore Muzambi.

“It will take the referees through laws of the game interpretation, match management skills, take the referee through the latest amendments as well as test their physical condition. “Should any referee fail the theory part he or she will be dropped while those who fail the fitness test will have a rerun after six weeks,” said Muzambi.

Since the season began complaints about referees have been sporadic. The major talking point so far, came during the match between Highlanders and Dynamos at Barbourfields, last month where Kusosa was accused by the home team supporters of allowing a Dynamos goal scored from what they claimed was an offside position.

This led to the abandonment of the game which has since been awarded to Dynamos on a 3-0 scoreline. “Referees are a very important component of football administration and management. When the ref is on the pitch, they are the boss and no one can interfere so you have to make the right decisions,’’ said Muzambi. “FIFA rules and regulations are clear that no other person can do anything when you are still on the pitch.