The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) has appointed a total of twelve (12) Eswatini Referees and Assistant Referees for both Men and Women into the 2020 FIFA List of Referees and Assistant Referees. The referees are Viana Letticia, Soko Tencwala Rebeccah, Nxumalo Siphiwayinkhosi Cosma, Mkhaliphi Buyisile Patricia, Sibandze Thulani Sabelo Dlamini Njabulo Thembinkosi, Dlamini Thokozani, Siphepho Celumusa, Simelane Zamani Thula, Nxumalo Sifiso Bingo, Mbingo Petros and Magagula Thembinkosi Ndumiso.
“ As opposed to the previous couple of years approval of 2 Referees in the male category, the 2020 appointments reflect a growth and 4 Referees have been appointed, which will now make it possible for an appointment of 2 sets of referees from Eswatini to officiate in international matches”, as per statement. This is a historical and significant growth in refereeing for the country, which has in the current period been one of the strategic objectives of the EFA to increase our referees officiating internationally.
In a similar wavelength, the appointments also see the appointment of a full set of women referees for the first time in the appointment of 2 women referees and 2 assistant women referees, which signifies a steady growth in women refereeing.
Over and above the EFA expressed her congratulatory note to these referees; with the growth being a motivation to the rest of the referees and aspiring referees. “The onus now remains with these appointed Referees and Assistant Referees to work hard and perform well internationally to fortify this growth for the country”, read the statement.