Africa-Press – Eswatini. The debate surrounding the referee for the upcoming MTN Premier League derby match between two of Eswatini’s biggest football teams has taken social media by storm. Supporters are divided over the experienced and well-respected FIFA-accredited referees Thulani ‘Goje’ Sibandze and Letticia Viana. While Sibandze has the benefit of years of experience and a proven track record, Viana brings fresh energy and enthusiasm to the table.
Meanwhile, some fans have suggested other options like Thokozani Dlamini and Thembinkosi ‘Dovos’ Dlamini as well as Celumusa Siphepho. Meanwhile, a source within the referees, who requested anonymity out of fear of victimisation , revealed that the Referees Committee (RC), led by Sipho Kunene, typically avoided assigning a referee who has officiated either of the Mbabane giants in the previous match before the derby. This is allegedly done to avoid the perception of bias or favouritism.
The source stated that the RC took great care to ensure that the officiating was fair and impartial, as the derby match was widely regarded as one of the most important and fiercely contested fixtures in Eswatini football. “Considering that Thokozani Dlamini was the referee for the Wanderers-Swallows match last week, it’s highly unlikely that he’ll be chosen to officiate in the derby. The top contenders for the derby are Thulani Sibandze and Celumusa Siphepho, who have proven to be referees for the big stage. These officials are considered the ideal choices to maintain a fair and exciting match that lives up to the hype of the derby,” said the referee.
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