The name Lufuno “Papi” Nemagovhani is fast becoming associated with accolades.

Her most recent achievement was when she was nominated as the best referee during the Sasol Women’s League National play-offs, which were staged at the Umlazi Stadium in Durban three weeks ago.

Nemagovhani officiated in seven matches during the tournament. She said that she realised that her performance was impressive during the tournament when she was told that she would officiate in the final between Super Falcons and Cape Town Roses. Super Falcons were crowned the champions after beating Roses 2-1 in the final.

The 28-year-old Papi was presented with a trophy, a gold medal and a soccer ball during the prize-giving ceremony, which was held at the stadium shortly after the final game.

It was not the first time for Papi to be named the best referee in a national tournament. When she went to Rhodes University in the Eastern Cape to officiate in the national championships tournament for universities, little did she know that she would be crowned the best referee for the tournament at the end of the event.

In 2010, she went to the University of North West, where she officiated at several matches during the Absa Women’s League U/17 national playoffs. She came back home with a trophy and gold medal after she was nominated the best ref in the tournament. Her first national achievement was when she was named the best referee during the Sasol National play-offs, which were staged in Cape Town in June 2009.

She was born at Makungwi village in the Nzhelele Valley and said her dream was to become an international female referee.