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Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter

ZIFA are expected to hold two high-level FIFA courses for elite referees and instructors this weekend.

The referees’ constituency is in the eye of a storm following Munyaradzi Majoni officiating in the match against Dynamos and Yadah at the weekend.

The Midlands-based referee had a nightmarish afternoon.

His performance comes after the ZIFA Referees Committee chairman Brighton Malandule said they were in the right path as they continue to groom referees for bigger international platforms.

“So we are working very hard, and we hope all these pieces of training will bear fruit, you will see more of our officials attending international games. Our efforts are beginning to bear fruits and very soon we will be seeing our referees, at major tournaments like AFCON and World Cup.

”It is a process to get there, but we need to be patient, we need to continue training, and recognise these youngsters coming up because they are the future, never mind how long it will take us to have a referee at the World Cup, but the process has already been set in motion,” said Malandule.

However, the likes of Majoni continue to bring the refereeing constituency into disrepute.

Malandule believes they are on the right path as their officials continue to get recognition in international CAF and FIFA assignments.

Female referee Faith Mloyi is currently in Cairo, Egypt, where she is officiating at the inaugural CAF women’s Champions League that kicked off on Friday.

She is the lone Zimbabwean at that stage.

Zimbabwean club champions Black Rhinos Queens finished second and were pipped to the sole COSAFA ticket by South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies.

Mloyi, who is on the FIFA panel, was selected by CAF to be part of 20 referees that first attended a refresher course in Cairo before getting down to business at the tournament which runs up to November 19.
Malandule said they are happy that their officials keep getting recognition.

“We are very happy with the recognition we are getting, that our officials are being recognised in such high-level courses. Faith is representing us in Egypt and we look forward to her officiating in these high-level games.

“People have always questioned why we are not seeing our referees at AFCON at World Cup, and like l have always explained it does not start with referees going to AFCON or World Cup, they must first get recognition at the regional level, and they must also attend these high-level courses.

“If Faith is representing us in Egypt, if she officiates in these women’s Champions League, it opens up avenues for her to get further recognition as I have always tried to explain it is a process, but I am happy we are making headway, our referees are getting recognition, testimony to that you have seen most of our officials, have been involved in these Champions League for men,” he said.

Malandule said male referee Brighton Chimene is doing very well.