Gutsy football referee Kamogelo Molutsi from Thaba Nchu has earned his stripes after being duly awarded the referee of the tournament accolade for consistency during the Premier’s Cup football tournament, which ended on Saturday, 30 March.
The competition, which exclusively featured 16 of the Free State’s ABC Motsepe League clubs, ended with the crowning of the champions, players and match officials who were consistent for the duration of the tournament, which started on 22 March.
Molutsi’s no-nonsense approach to refereeing came to the fore while he had the whistle in hand officiating matches that featured rival teams: D’ General against Blackcross, Bloemfontein Celtic against D’ General.
He was among the eight referees assigned to officiate in the tournament.
Molutsi is a graduate of development programmes that include the 2018 SAB match officials D-License skills camp, and has been continually mentored by vastly knowledgeable and respected match officials Stephen Mosotle and Enoch “The Great” Molefe.
“I knew I stood a chance for nomination after I had been selected for the panel to officiate in the semifinals. I have been working hard to improve,” said Molutsi.
Currently serving in the Premier Soccer League’s (PSL) reserve league known as DStv Diski Challenge, he is known for mastering the lawbook and firm decision-making, despite critics.
The whistleman believes a referee must have guts and refine his knowledge.
His stance is clear with memorable incidents, one of which was at the national tournament in 2018 in Durban when he awarded three red cards during a heated match where two players where engaged in a brawl, much to the dissatisfaction of the home crowd and teams involved.
The two players were going for the ball – a 50/50 situation – and both missed the ball, then collided.
Upon the incident they fought physically and Molutsi red-carded both culprits.
“The rule is clear, if you are engaged in a physical fight, both players are sent off. But I was told my decision-making was too harsh.
“I was advised to apply a game management approach and to not always act firm. Then the question was: What if one got badly injured during the fight and I failed to act?”
Molutsi started pursuing refereeing in 2012 and said he was inspired by fellow Free Stater, Tshidiso Maruping, who is serving on the PSL panel.
