Level of football officiating improving in Africa – SA ref Gomes

Top African referee Victor Gomes believes the quality of football officiating on the continent is constantly improving.

Gomes, 37, has paid tribute to the Confederation of African Football in its efforts to provide quality officiating.

Gomes told cafonline.com: “We have very good refereeing structures and I am grateful to CAF for investing time, effort and money into refereeing. Caf has really invested in us and our director Eddy Maillet has assisted to transform refereeing in Africa.”

“We have improved a lot and the elite referees being produced out of the continent are doing very well.

The South African referee has a personal goal of officiating at the World Cup, and with Qatar 2022 around the corner, Gomes says he will be doing his best to be among the chosen few.

“Everyone aspires to get to the top and the senior World Cup is the ultimate target. Just like players and coaches, playing at the World Cup is the dream and it is the same for us referees. That’s what I aspire to do and I will keep working hard, keep the focus and my feet on the ground.”

Gomes has been a Fifa/Caf elite referee for the last nine years and has been involved in over 250 matches.

“For me, this is not a job but it’s a passion and I am very passionate about it. I love refereeing and it makes it very easy for me. It is a lifetime commitment.”

In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo