Harare, (New Ziana) – The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) is conducting the Second Quarter Elite Referees and Match Commissioners Course at the ZESA National Training Centre in the capital as it intensifies the push to improve officiating standards in the country.
The three-day program brings together members of the ZIFA Panel Elite Referees and Match Commissioners as part of FIFA’s mandatory quarterly capacity-building framework for match officials.
The International Federation for Football Associations (FIFA) requires member associations to conduct four such courses annually, with the latest session marking the second for 2026 for Zimbabwe.
In a statement, ZIFA explained that the course is designed to provide a comprehensive mid-season review of refereeing performances while ensuring officials remain aligned with the evolving demands of the modern game.
“Key focus areas include fitness assessments, interpretation and application of the Laws of the Game, positioning and reading of play, offside decisions, tactical fouls, handball incidents, teamwork, integrity, and match management. Participants are also undergoing physical evaluations and recovery sessions as we continue to place growing emphasis on the athletic preparedness of match officials,” it said.
ZIFA Referees Committee chairperson Faith Mloyi reaffirmed the association’s commitment to building a highly competent and respected refereeing structure capable of meeting international standards.
“Our objective is to continuously improve the quality of officiating in Zimbabwe through education, accountability, and structured development. These quarterly programs are not only about technical improvement, but also about reinforcing professionalism, integrity, and confidence among our match officials. Strong refereeing is fundamental to the credibility and growth of the game,” she said.
The course also forms part of ZIFA’s broader football transformation agenda, which continues to prioritize capacity building across all sectors of the sport, including coaching, administration, refereeing, and governance.
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