Victor 'The Principal' Hlungwani lands another SAFA role

Confirmation of this role comes just weeks after Hlungwani, now retired and a resident expert for SABC Sport, returned to the game as a match commissioner.

Following deliberations by the South African Football Association [SAFA] to address some of the challenges facing referees, the Emergency Committee felt Hlungwani was best suited for the role with all his experience.

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The 48-year-old will be expected to handle the following responsibilities:

• Oversee the training and development of referees in Gauteng for ABC Motsepe league, SASOL and the Gauteng Development League [GDL].
• Ensure referees write examination levels, organise courses for provincial Match Assessors and Commissioners.
• Schedule training courses for instructors, see to it that referees get sufficient training for the various leagues listed above.
• Liable for the promotion and demotion of referees based on assessments of performances in their matches.

Hlungwani will not be paid for the job, but will be compensated for travelling and attending important meetings and sessions around the Gauteng province.

When approached for comment, he discussed his willingness to serve considering the plight and criticism facing match officials at the moment.

“It is an honor for me to be appointed in this position where I will be able to plough back using my knowledge and experience gained over the years,” said Hlungwani, who has become a popular figure on Soccer Zone with his review of the weekend matches and being a straight talker since joining SABC Sport.

“Gauteng has produced a number of good quality referees in the past and we need to take it back to where it was. My first major task is to get uniform for our referees in the ABC Motsepe, SASOL and GDL. The GDL league is on TV and the uniform our referees are wearing needs urgent attention. We will be approaching various sportswear for assistance.”