Sports / Local
SA referees for Highlanders, Dynamos tie?
25 Oct 2013 at 05:33hrs | Views
ZIFA are keeping a tight lid on the referee who will call the shots during the potentially explosive Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) tie between Highlanders and defending champions Dynamos at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday apparently because of fears of match-fixing. There are romours that Zifa will snub local referees and settle for South Africans.
Dynamos raised the issue over the appointment of referees yesterday when chairman Kenny Mubuiwa was quoted claiming top referee Hardley Ndazi of Matabeleland North was always biased against Dembare.
Mubaiwa appeared to insinuate if Ndazi was allowed to handle the match he would be biased against Dembare.
However, acting Zimbabwe Referees Committee president Ndumiso Gumede said teams would not be allowed to cherry pick match officials.
Usually match officials are announced a few days prior to the match.
Last month, top referee Howard Webb was announced as the man in the middle for the Manchester derby pitting Man Utd and Man City five days before the clash.
Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela declined to disclose the identity of the referees to handle the Bosso-Dembare match yesterday saying they would be known on match day. Ndumiso Gumede said the identity of the referee would be kept a secret to avoid corruption.
"If we announce the referee some people will want to use Ecocash and give him money."
The Zifa vice-president said the association would ensure the high profile clash would be handled by the best referees' on the land.
Norman Matemera handled the controversial first match between Dynamos and Highlanders at Rufaro Stadium where Dembare secured a late equaliser against Bosso.
Patson Jaure scored in the 98th min for Dynamos in a match where striker Njabulo Ncube appeared to have settled the match with a second-half goal in the 51st minute.
Jaure, was lucky to escape expulsion with Matemera turning a blind eye to a kung-fu kick on Milton Ncube before scrambling home the equaliser. But observers argued the match should have ended well before the goal was scored.
Dynamos raised the issue over the appointment of referees yesterday when chairman Kenny Mubuiwa was quoted claiming top referee Hardley Ndazi of Matabeleland North was always biased against Dembare.
Mubaiwa appeared to insinuate if Ndazi was allowed to handle the match he would be biased against Dembare.
However, acting Zimbabwe Referees Committee president Ndumiso Gumede said teams would not be allowed to cherry pick match officials.
Usually match officials are announced a few days prior to the match.
Last month, top referee Howard Webb was announced as the man in the middle for the Manchester derby pitting Man Utd and Man City five days before the clash.
Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela declined to disclose the identity of the referees to handle the Bosso-Dembare match yesterday saying they would be known on match day. Ndumiso Gumede said the identity of the referee would be kept a secret to avoid corruption.
"If we announce the referee some people will want to use Ecocash and give him money."
The Zifa vice-president said the association would ensure the high profile clash would be handled by the best referees' on the land.
Norman Matemera handled the controversial first match between Dynamos and Highlanders at Rufaro Stadium where Dembare secured a late equaliser against Bosso.
Patson Jaure scored in the 98th min for Dynamos in a match where striker Njabulo Ncube appeared to have settled the match with a second-half goal in the 51st minute.
Jaure, was lucky to escape expulsion with Matemera turning a blind eye to a kung-fu kick on Milton Ncube before scrambling home the equaliser. But observers argued the match should have ended well before the goal was scored.
Source - news
