ZIFA has cracked the whip on under-performing match officials after the association yesterday announced the suspension of three Premier Soccer League referees for poor officiating in the topflight.
Lawrence Zimondi, Nelson Meke and Tichaona Mbire have been suspended for periods ranging between four and six weeks for transgressions committed in recent games.
Zifa said they were taking a hard stance against under-performing match officials to protect and maintain the integrity and credibility of the game.
“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 association announced in a statement yesterday.
“Following a thorough review and assessment by the Zifa Referees Committee, the following decisions have been taken: Referee Zimondi has been suspended from officiating Premier League matches from Match day 11 to Match day 14 (four weeks).
“This decision follows substandard officiating in two matches: Highlanders vs Caps United on April 13, 2025 at Barbourfields Stadium, Ngezi Platinum vs Yadah on April 30, 2025 at Baobab Stadium.”
Added Zifa: “Referee Meke has also been suspended from officiating Premier League matches from Match day 11 to Match day 14 (four weeks). The suspension stems from poor performance during the Scottland vs Herentals match played on May 1, 2025 at Rufaro Stadium.
“Referee Mbire has been suspended from officiating Premier League matches from Match day 11 to Match day 16 (six weeks). This action follows an unsatisfactory performance in the MWOS vs Manica Diamonds fixture held on May 1, 2025 at Ngoni Stadium.”
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Mbire’s transgression may have stemmed from a penalty he awarded to MWOS, scored by Salif Cheya to cancel out Ask Rupande’s opener.
The referee then denied Manica Diamonds a winner when Nigel Mupinduki’s late goal was flagged for an offside.
“All match officials are expected to maintain the highest levels of professionalism, consistency, and competence,” Zifa added.
“Corrective action will be taken wherever standards are not met.”
This is the second time that Zifa have publicly shamed below par match officials.
Last season, they suspended, for six weeks, referee Cecil Ngwezere and his assistant referee Zondzi Ngosana for their roles in the abandoned Chibuku Super Cup match between Highlanders and Simba Bhora at Wadzanayi Stadium.
Simba Bhora were awarded a second half penalty after Ngosana, who was the far side assistant, incorrectly advised Ngwezere to point to the spot after a foul by then Highlanders defender Peter Muduhwa on Tinashe Balakasi.
Television replays showed that the foul had happened outside the penalty area.
