Leemisa Thuseho

THREE local female referees have been selected to officiate in two COSAFA women’s football events in South Africa this month.

The Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) announced this weekend that Nteboheleng Setoko and Polotso Maapara will be officiating in the upcoming COSAFA Women’s Champions’ League.

The inaugural edition will be held in Durban from 26 August to 4 September. Lesotho will be represented by LDF Ladies at the tournament.

Meanwhile, Puleng Mahomo was also selected to officiate in the COSAFA Women’s Championship in Gqeberha from 15 to 25 September.

LeFA media officer, Mikia Kalati, said they are happy with the appointments which he believes are a sign that Lesotho was on the right track in terms of developing reputable soccer officials.

“I believe the appointments point to the huge investments that LeFA is making into refereeing,” Kalati said.

“The association always strives to host as many courses as possible for the referees to enhance their standards and this is working for us.”

He said it was imperative for the referees to ensure that they seize the opportunities they get and show what they can do so that they can get more appointments beyond COSAFA.

“Every career requires determination and young, upcoming referees should work hard and set high targets. We now have the likes of Souru Phatšoane who started at COSAFA but is currently he is one of the top referees on the continent. He has even officiated in the ongoing Olympics in Japan,” Kalati said.

With contact sporting activities halted to manage the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, referees are all out of action.

However, Kalati said they are not concerned as referees can still prepare for the tournaments without football matches.

“The referees can still train Individually. They have programmes to follow and they are being monitored,” Kalati said.