ZIFA Suspends Three Referees for Poor Officiatin...

ZIFA Suspends Three Referees for Poor Officiating in PSL

Zim Now Writer

The Zimbabwe Football Association has suspended three Premier Soccer League referees for substandard officiating in recent matches, as the governing body intensifies efforts to uphold the integrity and credibility of the game.

Referees Lawrence Zimondi, Nelson Meke, and Tichaona Mbire will serve suspensions ranging from four to six weeks following what ZIFA described as "performances that fell significantly short of the standards expected in top-tier matches."

In a statement released yesterday, ZIFA confirmed the sanctions after a comprehensive review by the ZIFA Referees Committee.

“ZIFA wishes to inform stakeholders and the general public of the suspension of three match officials due to performances that fell significantly short of the standards expected in top-tier matches,” the statement read.

Lawrence Zimondi has been suspended for four weeks (Match day 11 to Match day 14). His suspension follows poor officiating in two matches: Highlanders vs Caps United on April 13, 2025, at Barbourfields Stadium, and Ngezi Platinum vs Yadah on April 30, 2025, at Baobab Stadium.

Nelson Meke will also miss four weeks (Match day 11 to Match day 14) after a below-par performance during the Scottland vs Herentals match played on May 1, 2025, at Rufaro Stadium.

Tichaona Mbire received the lengthiest suspension—six weeks (Match day 11 to Match day 16)—due to unsatisfactory officiating during the MWOS vs Manica Diamonds fixture held on May 1, 2025, at Ngoni Stadium.

Mbire’s performance drew sharp criticism after he awarded a controversial penalty to MWOS, which was converted by Salif Cheya to level the score. He later disallowed what could have been a winning goal for Manica Diamonds, ruling Nigel Mupinduki offside.

ZIFA emphasized that it expects “the highest levels of professionalism, consistency, and competence” from all match officials and warned that corrective measures would continue to be applied whenever standards are not met.

This marks the second consecutive season that ZIFA has publicly sanctioned referees for poor performances. Last year, referee Cecil Ngwezere and assistant referee Zondzi Ngosana were suspended for six weeks for their roles in the abandoned Chibuku Super Cup clash between Highlanders and Simba Bhora at Wadzanayi Stadium. A penalty wrongly awarded to Simba Bhora, based on incorrect advice from Ngosana, had sparked controversy after replays showed the foul occurred outside the box.

As pressure mounts for greater accountability in Zimbabwean football, ZIFA’s actions signal a clear intent to restore trust in the standard of officiating within the domestic league.