MOTHERWELL Township takes pride in its FIFA match official, Lindikhaya Bolo, who has put his country on the sporting map.
Bolo informed PE Express that he started his whistle duties at Motherwell Soccer Association, now known as Motherwell Football Association (MOFA), in 1998. Thereafter, Bolo continued with his match duties at the SAFA Nelson Mandela Bay SAB Regional League in 1999.
He showed that he was one of the best referees in the country when he was part of the referees’ panel that officiated during the Danone Nations Cup U/12 National Championships that occurred in Welkom in 2000. As he was the only referee who represented his region, he said that was his greatest moment of his life.
He said, “As I was the only match official from Nelson Mandela Bay, I felt so honoured.
“I told myself that I should work very hard. I was the referee of the tournament during that national event.”
Another golden opportunity was grabbed by Bolo with both hands when he attended a referees’ workshop in Johannesburg and he joined the high profile referees’ panel to do their duties in the Professional Soccer League (PSL) in 2000.
He said that he was appointed as PSL assistant referee (linesman) after that workshop. His professional duties included officiating in 10 games of the National First Division per season.
“I was very young and fresh in so much as I executed my duties with distinction. I was under a watchful eye of the top referees’ assessors.
“I was gradually introduced into PSL games so that I could get exposure at the higher level.
“In 2004, my first PSL game was between Black Leopards and Umtata Bush Bucks, as an assistant referee.
“My first televised game was between Jomo Cosmos and Supersport United in 2006,” said Bolo.
Bolo was promoted to the international stage in 2010, when he was picked for the FIFA referees’ panel. As he kept on doing good work, Bolo was selected to officiate the MTN 8 Cup final, between Moroka Swallows and Supersport United in 2012. He got the opportunity again four years later in the final between Bidvest Wits and Mamelodi Sundowns in 2016.
He said, “I officiated five Soweto derbies between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
“(Each time) the stadium was full up to its rafters. There was deafening noise but I managed to do my utmost best.
“I was appointed as an assistant referee in the 2017 CAF Champions League semi-finals second leg in Egypt.
“I am happy that Motherwell has Thembinkosi Mangayi and Siyabulela Qunta, who are both on the PSL referees’ panel,” he added.
According to Bolo, dedication, determination and discipline were the attributes that led to his success in match officiating. He also thanked those people who supported him.
