Lovemore Kadzura
Sports Reporter
WHILE Rusape may not be a football powerhouse in terms of rankings or the number of teams and players it produces, the town has made major contributions to the sport, particularly in the development of top-notch match officials.
For the past three decades, Rusape has consistently produced high-calibre football referees, who have, not only elevated the town’s profile, but have also gone on to represent their country on the international stage.
This achievement is a testament to the town’s dedication to the sport, and certainly worthy of recognition.
When the list of FIFA Panel match officials from Zimbabwe was released last week, Rusape made a significant contribution, boasting three representatives – Brighton Chimene, Grace Gimo and Claris Simango.
Notably, Chimene is the only Zimbabwean referee trained to operate the Video Assisted Referee (VAR) system, having undergone training in Morocco last year.
Gimo made history in 2021 by becoming the first woman to officiate in the Battle of Zimbabwe between Highlanders and Dynamos at the National Sports Stadium.
Her performance was impressive, paving the way for future female referees.
Another notable mention is Luckson Mhara, who began his refereeing career in Rusape, before being transferred by his employers.
These match officials have put Rusape on the map, showcasing the town’s commitment to producing top-notch referees.
Robert Mugorosa, the man credited with training and producing match officials in Rusape, attributed the trio’s success to their hard work, discipline and eagerness to learn from experienced professionals.
Mugorosa, now a match commissioner, praised Grace Gimo and Claris Simango for breaking into the male-dominated field through their courageous characters, which have enabled them to withstand the pressures of being a match official.
“These three referees have maintained their top positions due to their consistency in learning and physical training. They are always available for training, which sets them apart from others. From my experience with them, they are receptive to advice and keen to learn new things from commissioners, making them stand out,” he said.
Mugorosa also shared insights into the individual strengths of each referee.
“Brighton Chimene has an athletic background, which would have made him an excellent 10 000-meter runner if he had not taken up match officiating. His athleticism allows him to cover the entire pitch, making accurate decisions during games,” said Mugorosa.
He added: “Grace Gimo was also an athlete, representing Zimbabwe in the 400-meter hurdles in Kenya. Claris Simango is a hardworking referee who consistently delivers strong performances.”
Chimene, a fulltime referee, runs a small business in town, while Gimo is a police officer.
Simango, who recently quit her job as a teacher to concentrate on officiating, runs a farming plot in Odzi.
Pfumayi Amos Ndoro is another ZIFA panel match official from Rusape alongside Munyaradzi Bakayawo, who is the reigning ZIFA Eastern Region 2024 referee of the year.
Besides Mugorosa the town has also produced two other match commissioners – Charles Kazembe and Maxwell Chinyowa.
