The former midfielder with the famed women’s national team got her Class One ZIFA panel certificate, which qualifies her for the biggest challenge in local referring, a feat that saw her join seven other female referees for the Castle Premiership.
Her predecessors include Pamela Chiwaya, Faith Sibanda, Sane Sibanda, Tambudzayi Tavengwa and pioneer Sabelo Sibindi.
“This has proven to me that with willpower, only the sky can indeed be the limit,” said the 33-year-old Zvishavane-based Chirwa early this week. “This is a joyful moment for me. I have always wanted to be one of the local topflight referees and qualifying for that has on its own seen me achieve my second dream, after living the game as a player.”
She revealed that she was ready for the big challenge ahead and hopes to be one of those relied upon to change the image of local officiating, which has taken a battering following claims of biased referring which have previously seen ZIFA engage foreign referees for some cup games.
“I am not only targeting the local PSL, but I also want to officiate in international tournaments. There are many of them and with the world briskly empowering women, I would grab the opportunity to be one of the first female Zimbabwean referees to officiate in the FIFA World Cup,” she added.
She said her biggest inspiration was prominent referee, Sabelo Sibindi, who became the first woman to delve into the male-dominated terrain about a decade ago, when it was still seen as taboo.
Post published in: Football