THE country’s top three referees Norman Matemera, Nomore Musundire and Philani Ncube have been retained on the FIFA panel for the 2017 season.

They will handle CAF and FIFA matches as per appointment.

Also retained on the panel are the six assistant referees they have been working with this season thus Thomas Kusosa, Luckson Mhara, Wirimai Muroyiwa, Salani Ncube, Nyika Brighton and Edgar Rumeck.

Over the past few years, the country has been getting three slots for centre referees and six assistants.

And it is going to be the same case in the up-coming season. 

In September, all the elite referees underwent a physical fitness which is also used to determine which referees would be appointed for CAF matches.

After which the ZIFA Referees Committee recommended the names to the FIFA panel for consideration.

FIFA panel just approved the names and there was no variation in numbers.

On the women’s front, three centre referees, Majo Rusina, Thanks Nyahuye and Tambudzai Tawengwa were retained.

Three assistants Faith Mloyi, Stella Ruvinga and Claris Simango were also retained.

Refereeing standards have taken a dip in the country with the match officials failing to make the cut for big continental tournaments like the Africa Cup of Nations.

No Zimbabwean referee has been to the AFCON in the past eight years.