ZIMBABWEAN REFEREES APPOINTED FOR CAF AFRICAN SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIP IN SOUTH AFRICA

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) is pleased to announce that four Zimbabwean match officials have been appointed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to take part in the upcoming CAF African Schools Championship (COSAFA Zone), scheduled for Stellenbosch, South Africa, from 5 to 7 December 2025.

The appointment of these officials reflects CAF’s continued confidence in Zimbabwe’s refereeing structures and the professionalism of its match officials, who continue to demonstrate consistency and high standards across both domestic and regional competitions.

The appointed officials are as follows:

• Keuthabetsi Nyathi – Referee
• Tinevimbo Machafa – Referee
• Tambudzayi Tavengwa – Instructor
• Stella Ruvinga – Instructor

The officials are expected to join the COSAFA delegation in Stellenbosch on 1 December 2025, ahead of the CAF Referees’ Development Workshop, which will run from 2 to 4 December, immediately preceding the tournament.

The selection of these officials is a major endorsement of Zimbabwe’s refereeing development programme under ZIFA’s ongoing technical and capacity-building strategy. Over the past few years, ZIFA has prioritised referee education, continuous assessment, and mentorship to align its officiating standards with CAF and FIFA benchmarks.

CAF’s decision to include Zimbabwean referees and instructors in this youth competition demonstrates that the country’s match officials are steadily earning the confidence of regional and continental football authorities. This appointment follows several other continental assignments in recent years, underscoring the steady progress being made within Zimbabwe’s refereeing ranks.

The CAF African Schools Championship is one of CAF’s premier youth-development initiatives designed to promote football at the grassroots level while encouraging educational and social growth through sport. The competition brings together winning schools from each regional zone across Africa, with the ultimate winners qualifying for the continental finals.

The 2025 COSAFA Zone edition in Stellenbosch will feature both boys’ and girls’ teams from across Southern Africa. The tournament not only provides a competitive platform for young players but also serves as an important stage for referees and instructors to apply and enhance their skills in a structured, high-performance environment.

Ahead of the Championship, CAF will conduct an intensive referees’ development workshop focusing on technical updates, game management, physical conditioning, and the interpretation of the Laws of the Game. These sessions are led by CAF’s elite instructors and are designed to harmonise officiating standards across the continent.

For the Zimbabwean delegation, this workshop represents a vital learning opportunity. It exposes local officials to emerging technologies, such as VAR simulation modules, as well as performance-tracking systems that are increasingly used in continental and global competitions. Upon returning home, the participants are expected to cascade this knowledge to other referees and instructors through local training programmes and mentoring initiatives.

Refereeing remains a cornerstone of ZIFA’s technical development strategy. The Association, working through its Referees Committee and Technical Directorate, continues to invest in education, certification, and performance review programmes aimed at ensuring that local referees meet CAF and FIFA competency levels.

The exposure and experience gained by the four officials in Stellenbosch will have a direct impact on the quality of officiating within domestic football, from grassroots leagues to elite competitions. Their participation ensures that Zimbabwe remains represented in key CAF development initiatives, helping maintain the nation’s visibility and credibility within continental football structures.

Such opportunities also inspire younger match officials across provinces, demonstrating that with consistency, professionalism, and commitment, Zimbabwean referees can attain international appointments and recognition.

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