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Shumani Tinyani with his trophy for being the PSL's best referee in the 2014/15 soccer season. Photo supplied.

Locally born soccer referee scoops up top PSL award

 

The well-known local and national soccer referee, Shumani Phillip Tinyani of Dzimauli, was awarded a trophy and R50 000 for being the Premier Soccer League (PSL) referee of the 2014/15 soccer season. The prize was handed over to him during the PSL award ceremony held at the Sandton Convention Centre on Sunday evening.

Tinyani, a police officer at the Booysens precinct, started his refereeing career in the early 90s when the Niani Football Association was looking for referees. During his earlier days, Tinyani officiated in the Great North East Province (now Safa Vhembe) with the likes of Collins Netshiongolwe, Tshikonelo Nekhubvi, Israel Maphaha, Norman Mukwevho and Rudzani Mulaudzi. In 1998, he furthered his qualifications as a referee by completing the high national certificate.

When asked which game had been the most difficult one in his refereeing career, Tinyani smiled before saying that no game had been too difficult for him to handle. He singled out the recent final match in the Nedbank Cup between Ajax Cape Town and Mamelodi Sundowns as the game that he enjoyed officiating the most.

Highlights of his career include the Absa PSL match between the Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium, “It was an honour for me as it came unexpectedly,” he said. He indicated that his aim was to see himself officiating for international matches in three years’ time.

Tinyani paid tribute to his mentors, the well-known former referees Ephraim “Makhanda” Singo and Collins Netshiongolwe, who taught him different skills in life. He said that they had encouraged him to stay focussed when officiating matches and have a match plan ready all the time. He further said that he was also ploughing back into his community by staging soccer tournaments each and every year in the area where he was born.

He encouraged the youth to take education seriously, so that they can face the challenges of the future with ease. He said it was important to set up realistic goals that could be achieved within a given period.

Sport - Date: 22 May 2015

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Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

Email: [email protected]

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