Broke Zim plead for change of refs

THE Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has been left feeling hard done by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) decision to appoint referees from Cameroon to handle the Warriors’ African Nations Championship (CHAN) last round first leg showdown against Zambia.
Zimbabwe face Zambia on Sunday at Rufaro Stadium in Harare.
CAF has assigned Cameroon referee Aurelien Juenkou to handle the match with the assistance of the trio of Fuanta Joseph Lambi, Elvis Noupue and Christopher Nde.
The cash-strapped association is worried about the cost of flying in the officials from so far.
According to The Herald, ZIFA chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze wrote to CAF general secretary Hicham El Amrani registering his association’s displeasure over the decision and asked the continental body to appoint referees from southern Africa.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association hereby brings to your attention our observation that our fixture against Zambia in the 2014 CHAN tournament’s second round, first leg is going to be handled by match officials from Cameroon.
“It is our humble request that CAF considers deploying match officials from the Southern Zone on account of financial considerations.  “We await your urgent assistance,” Mashingaidze wrote.
Mozambican officials – Samuel Chirinza, Chandreque Marengula and De Jesus Mugabe, handled the Warriors’ CHAN first round return leg against Mauritius last Sunday in Harare.
Burkina Faso, Burundi, Congo Brazzaville, Ethiopia, Ghana, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Mali and Uganda have already qualified for the 16-nation CHAN finals billed for January 11 to February 1.
Hosts South Africa has automatic qualification.