Award-winning referee Victor Gomes and his linesmen team of Zakhela Siwela and Souru Phatsoane of Lesotho have received glowing tribute from their fellow colleagues and Safa bosses. Gomes and the team are growing in stature with each and every big tournament they officiate at.
They are officiating at the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar and on Tuesday they were in charge of the big France v Australia game in Qatar. They did such a fantastic job that they did not even need to consult the VAR. They also handled the 2021 African Cup of Nations final in Cameroon between Senegal and Egypt in February.
Safa head of referees Abdul Ebrahim was elated with their World Cup performance.
“The first game went extremely well and we hope and pray that they will get more matches and the final. I am certain that they have guaranteed themselves more matches because of a good showing that they displayed.
“It is Africa’s time, and our referees are stepping up and not playing around. They do not need to stand back for anyone and they deserve big matches like everyone else.”
He added that the country would benefit from the good job done by the match officials.
“When they are back, they will come back to the PSL and will impart knowledge to upcoming referees. As a country, we will be fools not to tap into that fountain of knowledge. They will assist in enhancing the growth of our referees who are still dreaming about refereeing at a World Cup tournament,” he added.
It was Siwela’s second World Cup tournament and a debut for Gomes, who has still not confirmed whether he is retiring or will continue blowing the whistle. Their next match had not been announced yet at the time of going to print.
Respected and retired referee Victor Hlungwane, a former colleague of the three, was happy with their performance. “They made us very proud. Gomes and the guys were spot on with the critical elements of the game.
“They work well as a team and their decisions did not influence the outcome of the game. They performed well and their selection and appearance are guaranteed at the tournament,” said Hlungwane, a former PSL Referee of the Season.
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