SAFA Referees International Appointments

Amongst his first top international assignments upon his return, Bennett - together with Toko Malebo and Yugesh Anjith, has been appointed to officiate the Friendly Match between France and Nigeria to be played at St. Ettienne, France on 2 June 2009. Jerome Damon and Enock Molefe, have been shortlisted for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, while Woman Assistant Referee, Baaitse Manca, has been appointed to officiate at the Universiade 2009 Championship to be held in Europe later this year.

The Chairman of the National Referees Committee, Kirsten Nematendana, says that given the fact that at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, we had four match officials representing SAFA, namely Jerome Damon, Enock Molefe, Nomvula Masilela and Deidre Mitchell, the skills of SAFA's FIFA Referees show high demand. South African Referees were also in charge of the CAF Super Cup Final between Al Ahly of Egypt and Club Sportif Sfaxien of Tunisia in February this year in which Bennett handled the game as the middleman, assisted by Enock Molefe (Assistant Referee), Toko Malebo (Assistant Referee) and Abdul Basit Ebrahim (4th official).

"These appointments clearly indicate the high demand we are experiencing for South African Match Officials and this confirms the high esteem our Match Officials are being held by FIFA and CAF. Our appointments at the international level have increased in leaps and bounds, and this will have a positive effect on the national panel of referees in that it will serve as a motivating factor for all of them, as it is obvious that excellence is rewarded.

"The on-field performances of our Referees are due to the hard work and new direction taken by the National Referee's Committee when it implemented the merit system of appointments, allowing our Referee's to compete equally, thereby, increasing the competitive level within our ranks," says Nematendana.