THE KwaZakhele-born soccer referee, Wesley Skosana, feels that young match officials can advance their careers and eventually turn professional if they cooperate with seasoned match officials.
Skosana, who started out as a soccer referee in 1996, said that he used to help Zwide Football Association referees when they attended the workshops or when there were no match officials at the field of play when he was a player.
He said, “You cannot be a referee and a player at the same time.” Skosana then decided to hang up his soccer boots and train to become a referee. One thing that encouraged him to take the decision was the positive feedback and encouragement he received from experienced match officials.
Eventually, Skosana was recruited by the experienced match officials.
“I would like to thank officials like the late Jaji Jabavu, the late Ian Mhletywa, Siphiwo Jibiliza, Vuyisile Gibe, Ronald Dace, the late Thabo Mawonga, Sizwe Gqogqo, Fezile Phuzi, Luyanda Tshula, Vusumzi Douws and Zola Mayedwa. These gentlemen played an instrumental role to me. They kept on motivating me,” said Skosana.
He stated that he was in the match officials panel that consisted of Robin Smith (PSL match official), Jacob Frolic, Lndikhaya Bolo (FIFA match official), Mzimkhulu Fina (SAFA EC chairperson), Jeronym Piedt, Deidre Mitchell (PSL match official) and many more.
According to Skosana, the young match officials must attend the referee clinics in order to gain more knowledge about controlling the game.
Skosana explained, “Inexperienced match officials will become better if they attend the clinics and they must study the laws of the game thoroughly.
“They must ask if there are grey areas with regard to the laws of the game. They should listen to the match officials who have been controlling the game for the long time. They should absorb the pressure from the supporters, players and technical officials.
“If they understand the laws of the game, they will not be booed by the supporters.
“Referees must enforce the laws of the game. They must be very fit so that they can see everything that happens during the game. Match officials must cooperate with each other.”
Skosana said that he was very disappointed after he, Vuyisile Gibe, Zola Mayedwa and Patrick Ntoli were denied the opportunity to be Professional Soccer League and National First Division match officials although they were in 2003-2004 top flight season panel.
He said that he and Mayedwa were promoted to be match officials in top flight football but they were left in the lurch.
He now controls games in the ABC Motsepe League and SAFA NBM SAB Regional League, as well as local football association games.
He told the PE Express that one day he was chased by a Dancing Stars player with a knife when they were up against Zwide Celtics. He said that he had to run in fear of his life but the player was expelled from football and Dancing Stars were fined by Zwide Football Association for the incident.
