ZIFA Elite Referees Gather in Bulawayo for Crucial Pre-Season Workshop

The Zimbabwe Football Association’s Elite Referees Pre-Season Workshop is officially underway in Bulawayo, setting the tone for what promises to be a demanding and highly competitive 2026 domestic football season.

The three-day programme brings together the nation’s top match officials for intensive physical assessments, technical refreshers and integrity-focused discussions ahead of the traditional curtain-raiser, the Castle Challenge Cup. This year’s season opener will see league champions Scottland FC square off against cup winners Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday.

Proceedings began with registration and an official opening, before quickly moving into core areas that define modern refereeing. The workshop is structured to balance classroom-based learning with practical fitness work, medical assessments and integrated sessions, ensuring referees are physically prepared and technically sharp.

A speech read on behalf of ZIFA Vice President Kennedy Ndebele by ZIFA Southern Region Chairperson Cris Mtungwazi set the tone for the workshop.

“Referees are the custodians of the Laws of the Game,” the message read. “As the Executive Committee led by President Nqobile Magwizi has consistently emphasised, the standards of match officiating remain a priority for this Association. Your professionalism, your integrity and your courage under pressure will shape the credibility of our competitions. ZIFA stands firmly behind you as you strive to reach the highest levels of excellence.”

The programme itself reflects that commitment. Integrity features prominently on the opening day, reinforcing ethical conduct in a football environment where scrutiny is constant. Sessions on challenges and penalty area incidents, accompanied by clip discussions, are designed to sharpen decision-making in high-stakes moments, where split-second judgement can define matches and seasons.

Over the weekend, the focus will shift to tactical fouls and offside interpretations, again supported by detailed video analysis and written assessments. The inclusion of written and video tests demonstrates ZIFA’s emphasis on measurable standards and accountability. Referees are not only expected to understand the Laws but to apply them consistently and confidently.

Equally significant is the strong emphasis on fitness. The schedule includes early morning fitness checks, presentations, medical examinations and individual feedback sessions. In the modern game, where pace and tactical sophistication continue to evolve, physical conditioning is no longer optional – it is foundational.

ZIFA Referees Committee Chairperson Faith Mloyi welcomed the collective approach to preparation. “This workshop is about alignment and growth,” Mloyi said. “We want our referees to enter the new season unified in interpretation, confident in their application of the Laws and fully aware of the expectations placed upon them. The discussions we are having around tactical fouls, penalty area incidents and offside are critical to ensuring consistency across all our leagues.”

ZIFA Referees Manager Philani Ncube highlighted the importance of bridging communication between officials and the Association. “This platform allows us to address practical challenges referees face week in and week out,” Ncube said. “We are focusing on integrity, fitness standards, and key technical areas because the modern game demands complete officials. Our goal is to ensure that when the season begins, our referees are ready in every respect.”

As Scottland FC and Dynamos prepare to contest the first silverware of the year at Rufaro Stadium, attention will rightly be on the players. But behind the spectacle stands a cadre of officials whose preparation, discipline and integrity will underpin the fairness of the contest. In Bulawayo this week, Zimbabwe’s elite referees are not merely attending a workshop. They are reinforcing the foundations of credibility, consistency and professionalism upon which the 2026 season will be built.

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