South African Football Association (Johannesburg)
20 December 2011
South Africa will be well represented at the 28th edition of the African Cup of Nations tournament as Daniel Bennett and Zakhele Siwela have been called up to officiate in the African football showpiece.
The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations tournament will be hosted jointly by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon from 21 January – 12 February 2012.
The South African duo was selected to officiate in the auspicious continental tournament following their success during the CAF Elite Referees Fitness tests that were conducted during an Elite Referees workshop held in Cairo about a month ago.
The South African officials have also received accolades from the Zimbabwean Football Association (ZIFA) after they successfully officiated in the local Mbada Cup final held in the capital Harare last month (27 November).
Chairman of the SAFA Referees Committee, Alpha Mchunu says the appointment of Siwela and Bennett is exciting news and shows that their succession plan regarding the development of referees is working.
“This is exciting news that our referees will be present at the 2012 AFCON tournament, and I am confident that Bennett and Siwela will make the much-needed impact. We would have loved to see more of our officials in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon next year, but we are hopeful this will become a reality in future CHAN and AFCON tournaments in the next few years. It is also encouraging to see that CAF has shown confidence in our young and upcoming referees, it proves that our succession plan is on track and working well,” said Mchunu.
Referees selected to officiate at the 2012 AFCON tournament have been invited to attend a refreshers course on the 19th of January 2012. It will be held in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
Ends.
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