SEBOKENG.- For years now Vaal has been known for not only producing top football administrators and soccer players but also top referees in the country.
In the past, Vaal produced top referees such as George Tladi, Jonas Nhlapo, and Thys Mokoena to mention these three. Eliphas Sithole (33) is another referee from Vaal destined for a great future officiating in top-flight football.
No doubt, he is following in the footsteps of those above-mentioned former referees who have hoisted the Vaal flag high in top-flight football in the past. Sithole is the current generation of referees from Vaal who is eager to make a name for himself as a referee.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport, after the Sekhukhune United and Swallows DSTV Diski Challenge match at Isak Steyl Stadium, Sithole said this is not just a job but a passion for him. He was serving as the fourth official when United beat Swallows 6-2.
Sithole told Sedibeng Ster Sport that he was a soccer player but after he suffered an injury he decided to become a referee. He said his referee career started at school Maxheke Secondary School where he volunteered to be a referee. He told Sedibeng Ster Sport that, he was identified by veteran referees development officer, Jack Leboko.
He said his first big assignment was when he was assigned to officiate a CAF match in Ghana. He said even though he was nervous, he did exceptionally well.
”My break came when Mr Leboko asked me to organise students at my school to conduct refereeing lessons for us. I still remember he asked me to organise 100 students and I organised more than that number. He invited me to officiate a women’s soccer tournament at Bophelong Stadium and I still remember officiating all the games alone because other referees were scared.
“But an interesting story was when I went with Mr Leboko to the Referees Fitness Test with all the Gauteng Regions represented accept Vaal. I was there just to observe but I ended up running because there was no one from Vaal. This is how I got a break to officiate in Vodacom League which is today known as ABC Motsepe,” said Sithole.
This former VUT student had to choose between refereeing and his studies and he was rewarded. Apart from being the referee, Sithole is a Police Officer. He told Sedibeng Ster Sport that it is not easy to juggle the two but he enjoys both jobs.
