Lovemore Dube
THE 13-year-old Sam Ngwenya could be the youngest soccer referee in Zimbabwe.
He is a regular feature in the 20-team Rhino Challenge Champions League in Matabeleland North Province.
It is a vibrant soccer league used to conscientise rural communities in Hwange District and part of Lupane about wildlife conservation. The area has the Painted Dog and rhino as primary animals to be protected.
Soccer is being used for the awareness programmes and it has proved a hit to the communities. While several teenagers want to excel as players, Ngwenya is leading several other teenagers in taking up match officiating as his calling.
“The 13-year-old Sam Ngwenya from Dete is the youngest referee in the province to officiate in an organised competition. He is a regular feature in the RCCL.
“Sam Ngwenya is one of the recently trained referees holding a Class Four licence and officiates in matches involving the league sides,” said Ndodana Masuku the Area Zones’ national vice-chairman.
He was recently thrown onto the deep end when Honey Badgers FC clashed with ZRP Buffaloes and he did not disappoint.
Masuku said the tie was the first at that level for the Dete lad.
After the game, the youngster said: “This was a big game for me. I felt nervous from the start but my centre referee Anxious Sibanda gave me confidence before we started. The other thing that gave me confidence was that the game was played at the ZRP Dete pitch, I felt safe but a bit nervous too. I thought if I did something wrong the police would protect me,” said the teenage officiating sensation.
Sibanda who was at the centre said the teenager was confident with his decisions throughout the match and did not show any signs.
Sibanda is among those assisting in the grooming of the teenagers.
Paul Shoko who oversees referees in the league advised the boy to stay focused so that he can develop and at some stage be among those in the elite panel in the country and be in a position to be in the Fifa panel before the age of 22.
Ngwenya is a pupil at Detema Secondary School. He is among a group of enthusiastic boys aged 12-17 years, who are aspiring match officials.
The other referees are Marist Brothers Dete pupil, Delight Sibanda, 16-year-old Learnmore Sibanda of Nechilibi High School and 17-year-old Gugulethu Moyo a former Detema pupil.
“We are delighted to be seeing youngsters joining the fight to give poaching a red card and at the same time preparing for a life in the sport.
‘He can continue with officiating to professional levels and pursue another career.
“We will give these youngsters all the support and guidance they need to grow in the field,” said Masuku.