Simanga for Vodacom Challenge!

MBABANE – Premier league referee Simanga Nhleko will officiate in the Vodacom Challenge Cup match between Orlando Pirates and England’s Tottenham Hotspurs.

A letter of request was sent last week to the National Football Association of Swaziland (NFAS).

The game would take place on Tuesday July 19 at Mbombela Stadium at 8.15pm.

FA acting CEO Welile Mabuza confirmed yesterday.

"We have the invitation from South Africa and the referee will handle the game between Orlando Pirates and Tottenham Hotspurs," he said.

He said the appointment augurs well for local referees in the international stage.

"We are happy that our officials are being recognised in games of this magnitude," he said.

Also confirming was chairman of the Referees Committee Timothy Shongwe who said the game would be a platform for the official to show the world what Swazis can offer.

"As a committee we are doing our best to help referees improve. We know that mistakes would always be there because they are human, but what we do is to help them improve from those mistakes," he said.

Nhleko was ecstatic over the appointment, and said he was ready for the big challenge.

"I have been informed and I am happy. I am honoured at the appointment and I regard it as a privilege because I will be representing the country," he said.

He said he was not nervous at the prospect of handling a game that involved world renowned stars like Rafael Van De Vaart of Spurs. The London based side has promised to bring a full strength squad for the tournament that will also include Kaizer Chiefs and Manchester City.

Meanwhile, Pirates who last week won the Absa Premiership in dramatic style would be making quick return to the Nelspruit based stadium, as they will be playing Black Leopards in the final of the Nedbank Cup on Saturday afternoon.

The treble chasing Soweto ‘Bucanneers’ boast of players such as Bafana Bafana midfielder Andile Jali, captain Lucky Lekgwathi and Zambian international Isaac Chansa.

Nhleko’s appointment comes after the official received rave reviews in South Africa after successfully handling a pre-World Cup international friendly match at the state-of-the-art Moses Mabhida Stadium between South Africa against Zimbabwe.

Nhleko who is also in the FIFA refereeing panel has been the most consistent in the league in the past decade.

The referee handled last Sunday’s MTN League grand closing match between Manzini Wanderers against Royal Leopard at Somhlolo National Stadium.

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