Africa-Press – Lesotho. Four local match officials will take charge of Sunday’s Nelson Mandela Challenge clash between South Africa and Mali in Port Elizabeth. The match will be played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and Lebalang Mokete will be the man in charge.
The quartet’s call-up continues a busy year for Lesotho’s match officials on international duty around the continent. Just last month ‘Mathabo Kolokotoane was an assistant referee during the final of the COSAFA Women’s Under-17 Championships in Mauritius while this weekend’s Nelson Mandela Challenge will be the second year in succession Lesotho is involved.
Last November, Souru Phatšoane was an assistant referee when South Africa hosted Paraguay. “Lately our officials have been travelling a lot going for tournaments and international matches which is good for them because they are learning, they are facing different challenges,” Letsie said.
“This is a friendly match (between South Africa and Mali) but it is an international, last year only Souru Phatšoane was there but this time around it is a full set of officials,” he said.
“Not so long ago ‘Mathabo was involved in a final for COSAFA, now referee
Thabo Nkhahle is in Malawi for the COSAFA (Men’s) Under-17 Championship starting this weekend, he is there with Retšelisitsoe Lebatha who is there as an assessor.
Letsie said Phatšoane will be involved in Sunday’s friendly match between Lesotho and Malawi at Setsoto Stadium.
He admitted the international appointments will give the Referees’ Committee a headache when it comes to assigning officials for league games continuing this weekend.
