Refs make strides

WINDHOEK – Namibian referees are continuing to make global strides.

Six referees were appointed to officiate at the Cosafa final on May 27 and the AFCON qualifying matches on June 2. Namibian Football Association (NFA) Education Officer and Referee Coordinator Edwardth Ndjadila said Arvo Mufeti, Erastus Shilunga and Alpheus Shipanga will officiate at the Cosafa mini-tournament between Malawi and South Africa as well as the match between Swaziland and Mauritius.Ndjadila said Matthew Katjimune and his assistant referees David Shaanika and Shipanga, will officiate at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match between Swaziland and Kenya on June 2 in Mbabane, Swaziland.Benedictus Nashenda and Katjimune have also been invited by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to attend a Talent Identification Course billed for South Africa on June 16.”The purpose of the course is to identify potential that can be worked on,” said Ndjadila.He said the Namibian refereeing standard must continuously be improved and not just maintained.Meanwhile, Ndjadila introduced three female referees who have successfully been listed on the Fifa panel of referees.The “women in black” are Anitha Jacobs (30), Maria Amutenya (26) and Emma Ashipala (26).Jacobs and Amutenya were presented with the Fifa official referees attire which includes boots, tracksuits, bags, socks, shorts and shirts made possible by the world football governing body through Adidas.Ndjadila said the trio went through a vigorous test by Fifa to make the grades and are now Fifa accredited referees.He said the female referees will officiate at the local premier league matches and will not be treated differently from their male colleagues.NFA technical director Seth Boois said referees are an integral part of football, adding that there will never be proper games if referees are below par.NampaNamibian Football Association (NFA) Education Officer and Referee Coordinator Edwardth Ndjadila said Arvo Mufeti, Erastus Shilunga and Alpheus Shipanga will officiate at the Cosafa mini-tournament between Malawi and South Africa as well as the match between Swaziland and Mauritius.Ndjadila said Matthew Katjimune and his assistant referees David Shaanika and Shipanga, will officiate at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match between Swaziland and Kenya on June 2 in Mbabane, Swaziland.Benedictus Nashenda and Katjimune have also been invited by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to attend a Talent Identification Course billed for South Africa on June 16.”The purpose of the course is to identify potential that can be worked on,” said Ndjadila.He said the Namibian refereeing standard must continuously be improved and not just maintained.Meanwhile, Ndjadila introduced three female referees who have successfully been listed on the Fifa panel of referees.The “women in black” are Anitha Jacobs (30), Maria Amutenya (26) and Emma Ashipala (26).Jacobs and Amutenya were presented with the Fifa official referees attire which includes boots, tracksuits, bags, socks, shorts and shirts made possible by the world football governing body through Adidas.Ndjadila said the trio went through a vigorous test by Fifa to make the grades and are now Fifa accredited referees.He said the female referees will officiate at the local premier league matches and will not be treated differently from their male colleagues.NFA technical director Seth Boois said referees are an integral part of football, adding that there will never be proper games if referees are below par.Nampa