FIFA MA ELITE REFEREEING COURSE KICKS OFF IN ESWATINI
The FIFA MA Elite Refereeing Course officially commenced on Monday, 4 August 2025, at the EFA Technical Centre in Lobamba, marking a significant milestone in Eswatini’s ongoing commitment to referees development and football excellence.
This week-long training program, running until Friday, 8 August 2025, was inaugurated by Eswatini Football Association (EFA) President, Mr. Peter Simelane. In his opening address, he welcomed participants and encouraged them to seize this invaluable opportunity to learn from world-class experts. The course is being led by esteemed FIFA Refereeing Instructors Paulo Marques and Mark Mzengo; who were deployed by FIFA to enhance the knowledge, techniques, and decision-making skills of Eswatini’s elite referees in preparation for the upcoming football season.
“We are very honoured to be back in Eswatini,” said Paulo Marques, speaking on behalf of the FIFA Instructors. “It’s a pleasure to work with a country that prioritizes refereeing development. FIFA is always ready to support growth, but it takes initiative from the football association; and the EFA has demonstrated outstanding leadership by making this request.”
In his remarks, EFA President Mr. Peter Simelane expressed gratitude to FIFA for their unwavering support and emphasized the strides Eswatini has made in developing its refereeing landscape. He commended the inclusion of female referees in the program, highlighting their growing impact in the sport. He also celebrated Eswatini’s own Letticia Viana, who has earned continental recognition as one of Africa’s leading VAR referees, illustrating the success that dedicated training and support can achieve.
Furthermore, Mr. Simelane revealed EFA’s plans to introduce advanced refereeing technology, including VAR (Video Assistant Referee) tools, as part of its vision to modernize refereeing and align with international standards.
The FIFA MA Elite Refereeing Course comes at a critical time, with Eswatini gearing up for the new football season. This refereeing course is meticulously designed to elevate match officials—both emerging and experienced—to higher levels of consistency, confidence, and professionalism on the field.
