Zimbabwe will have a strong officiating presence at the upcoming CAF African Schools Football Championship Continental Finals, scheduled to take place in Harare from April 2 to 10.
The Confederation of African Football recently unveiled a youthful and diverse referees delegation selected to oversee the continental youth tournament, with several Zimbabwean officials entrusted with key technical and support roles during the week-long competition.
Experienced referee educator Felix Tangawarima has been appointed referee instructor, a role that will see him mentoring emerging match officials throughout the tournament. His responsibilities include guiding referees on decision-making, positioning, and match management standards expected at continental level.
Zimbabwean official Sibonokuhle Sibanda will serve as fitness instructor for the refereeing team, overseeing physical conditioning programmes to ensure officials meet CAF’s performance and endurance requirements during matches.
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Medical support for referees will be provided by physiotherapist Ropafadzo Amanda Banhwa, who will assist with injury prevention, recovery, and overall fitness management throughout the championship.
The referees selected for the competition are products of the CAF Young Referees Programme, an initiative designed to identify and develop officiating talent from grassroots level across Africa.
Integrated into the African Schools Football Championship structure since its inception, the programme provides young referees with valuable international exposure while strengthening officiating standards on the continent.
Now in its fourth edition since launching in 2022, the tournament has evolved into a major development platform not only for young footballers but also for referees and technical officials seeking continental experience.
The championship aligns with the broader vision of CAF president Patrice Motsepe, who has prioritised youth development and long-term investment as key pillars for building a sustainable future for African football.
With Zimbabwe hosting the finals and contributing technical expertise to the officiating team, the event is expected to further position the country as an important hub for football development on the continent.
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