By Archford Chirimudombo
Harare, (New Ziana) – The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) on Friday concluded a five-day FIFA Member Association (MA) Course for Elite Men and Women Referees, with participants completing practical field exercises and technical classroom sessions aimed at enhancing decision-making, consistency and match management.
The intensive programme has equipped Zimbabwe’s top match officials with the technical knowledge, physical preparedness and confidence required to officiate at the highest level of the game. Throughout the course, referees have been exposed to FIFA’s latest officiating standards through a combination of theory, practical simulations and performance analysis.
On the final day, participants received real-time feedback on their positioning, communication and application of the Laws of the Game, enabling them to assess and refine their on-field decision-making. The programme also includes updated interpretations of the Laws, video-based assessments and interactive discussions centred on real match incidents to reinforce consistent and accurate officiating.
FIFA Referees Instructor, Felix Tangawarima praised the participants for their commitment and eagerness to improve, saying the course had successfully blended theoretical instruction with practical application.
“There has been an overwhelming response to this course, and this is good for our football. Since day one, most sessions have been allowing referees to immediately apply what they learned and then analyse their decisions. That process is invaluable because it develops consistency, confidence and a better understanding of modern football.
“Every exercise was designed to prepare our officials for the demands of elite football, where every decision can influence the outcome of a match. The willingness shown by the participants to learn and improve has been outstanding,” Tangawarima said.
ZIFA Referees Manager Philani Ncube said the programme reflects the association’s commitment to continuous professional development and the creation of a strong pipeline of elite match officials capable of excelling both locally and internationally.
“Our objective is to ensure that Zimbabwean referees continue to develop in every aspect of officiating – technically, physically and mentally.
“Courses of this nature expose our officials to international best practice while reinforcing the consistency and professionalism expected at both domestic and international level. We are investing in our referees because quality officiating is fundamental to the growth of Zimbabwean football,” he said.
The FIFA MA Course forms part of ZIFA’s broader strategy to improve refereeing standards through continuous education, capacity building and adherence to the highest levels of professionalism.
As more Zimbabwean referees continue to earn appointments to regional and continental competitions, initiatives such as the FIFA MA Course are expected to ensure they remain equipped to meet the evolving demands of the modern game while proudly representing the country on the international stage.
New Ziana
