I ll do it for Santos Notoane
Referees workshop to boost standards in SA
DAVID Notoane has vowed to reward Santos management for their confidence in his coaching experience and ability, by ensuring they return to top-flight soccer.
The former SuperSport United striker was appointed head coach at the weekend after the departure of Ian Palmer, whose contract has expired. Palmer is now linked with Platinum Stars, whose coach Cavin Johnson has joined Matsatsantsa a Pitori.
Santos chairman Goolam Alie has confirmed the promotion of Notoane, who once played for the club.
“This is a great honour for me. I want to thank Santos chairman Mr Alie and his board for showing confidence in my coaching ability,” said Notoane yesterday.
“We have already started with the pre-season training. I also went to the SAB Under-21 National Championships in Stellenbosch in search of new young players.
“You know, there is a rule that we need five under-23 players in the starting line-up. I have identified some players but we will first do some research before signing them.”
Santos offered the former assistant coach of the national U-23 team a one-year deal, which he argued was good enough for him. “We want to win the league and go back [to the Premiership] automatically. Santos do not deserve to be in the NFD.” IN a continuous effort to improve the standard of refereeing in the country, the SA Football Association (Safa) will conduct a five-day referees workshop for PSL referees and match commissioners.
The workshop, to be conducted under the auspices of Fifa, will consist of practical and theoretical work and will be held at Safa House in Johannesburg from today until Saturday.
The workshop will be used to familiarise PSL referees with the amendments to the Fifa refereeing law book to ensure that the national referees and match commissioners are well equipped ahead of the new season.
About 51 referees, six of whom are Fifa accredited, will attend the workshop with 37 match commissioners. There will also be an opportunity for 24 qualified match commissioners and 13 trainee match commissioners to learn valuable lessons and remain in line with international standards.
The PSL referees and assistant referees will undergo fitness tests at the Boksburg Stadium tomorrow morning, which will ensure the Fifa-accredited officials maintain the required fitness levels for them to remain on the Fifa panel of referees.
Fifa referees instructors Carlos Henriques and Lim Chong will provide the theoretical training while Tracey Henriques will be assisting as a physical trainer during the practical sessions.
The two will be assisted by Fifa-recognised instructors and members of the referees technical committee panel.
PSL referees have come under sever criticism for their listless performances in the past two seasons.
Acting Safa head of referees Ace Kika feels this course could not have come at a better time.
“This course will be used to empower our referees across the country with the new amendments made to the Fifa laws of the game and improve the standard of reporting from our match commissioners,” Kika said.