MASERU-The Lesotho Football Association (LEFA) is hosting a week-long intermediary course for 30 referees at Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena.
The workshop started on Monday and will end on Friday with a COVID-19 training programme. The referees undergoing the course have mostly officiated in the B and C Divisions and they will be in a position to oversee matches in the A-Division and top-flight Econet Premier League after completing the training.
The 30 participants in the workshop are the best performers from an original batch of officials that underwent a basic course last year.
LEFA’s referee’s coordinator, Mohau Sentšo, said it is important that officials are regularly equipped with new knowledge because the game is frequently changing. He said match officials must be upgraded ahead of the new season because the Premier League is totally different to the lower leagues.
Speaking to the participants, Lebalang Mokete, who is one of the country’s top referees and the treasurer for the Lesotho Referees Association’, urged the officials to dream big like Souru Phatšoane who is now renowned around the continent.
Phatšoane frequently officiates in Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers and CAF Champions League fixtures and last year he was selected to officiate at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Brazil.
Mokete said if match officials do well locally they will get their chance at regional COSAFA tournaments which is where the country’s top referees started before being recognised by CAF to officiate in continentally.
“I want to congratulate you for being here because it means you were the best,” Mokete said to the referees in attendance at Bambatha.
“We are grateful to LEFA for investing in you and hosting this course. After this we expect to see the results on the pitch. You are still a very young group and you should have dreams, you should want to be part of tournaments in the SADC region because this is where we all started,” he added.
“Souru started in the COSAFA and he has now officiated in AFCON and Under-17 World Cup,” Mokete continued.
“Be serious, be fit when you go to the ground. I am happy I see women here, gone are the days when women were not taken seriously. I wish you success.”
Speaking on behalf of LEFA, its secretary general, Mokhosi Mohapi, said it is important for the match officials to love what they do instead of thinking about money.
Mohapi said the referees should dream of changing refereeing in Lesotho and being the best.
The workshop’s instructors are Rethusitsoe Lebaka and Khotso Makhetha, who are heading the technical training, as well as Tšeliso Mosehle who is a physical instructor.
Tlalane Phahla