Byo soccer ref for Elite Caf course

ZIMBABWE top match official Faith Mloyi is set to enhance her skills after being selected by the Confederation of African Football to take part in the Elite “A” Women referees course in Djibouti later this month.

The course is set to run from 25 to 29 November. Mloyi is among 16 assistant referees from across the continent that were selected by Caf to take part in the course.

Mloyi, who is based in Bulawayo, told Zifa’s website that she feels honoured to be among top officials granted the opportunity to undergo theoretical, physical and technical tests which will enhance her refereeing knowledge and skills.

“I’m very happy and humbled to be selected among top female assistant referees in Africa. This is a very important high-level course. It will improve my understanding and interpretation of the laws of the game,” Mloyi was quoted saying by the Zifa website.

Mloyi (36) joined the refereeing fraternity in 2002 and turned international in 2015 and has since featured in several international matches that include U20 World Cup qualifiers. Mloyi wrote her referees beginners course in 2001 and started match officiating the following year. Mloyi said she had to call up her reserves of strength to survive in the field of refereeing which has predominantly been a male preserve, in order overcome challenges that she faced as a woman on her way to becoming a top referee.

“A lot of people just look down upon women in this trade. But as an individual I had to be strong and show that I can do it just like male referees,” she said

Mloyi has advice to aspiring female referees who are daunted by the idea of taking up careers in male dominated spheres.

“To all women I say take the challenge and be brave. Be yourself, pray and believe you can do it,” she added.

Besides Mloyi, there are 10 other elite female referees on the Zimbabwe Football Association panel and six of them are on the Federation on International Football Associations panel.