. Sikazwe
By GODFREY DUBE –
FIFA referee Janny Sikazwe has urged upcoming young Zambian referees to remain focused and set targets that would help them achieve greater things for the country.
Sikazwe, who at the weekend officiated the FIFA World Club Cup final between European champions Real Madrid and Asian champions Kashima Anthers, said it was important for referees in the country to stay focused and learn the new technology in the laws of game.
During a Press briefing at Football House in Lusaka soon on arrival from the World Club Cup in Japan, Sikazwe said succeeding in refereeing called for determination and hard work.
He described officiating the World Club Cup final as a momentous achievement in his career.
The Kapiri Mposhi-based educationist said it was a great achievement to officiate such a high profile game and that using new technology of FIFA called Video Assistant Referring was exciting.
The Video Assistant Referee comes with 98 new laws of the game.
“It calls for hard work, determination, focus and setting targets that would help you achieve great things in life, it is important for other referees especially upcoming ones to posses such
qualities in order to reach greater heights in game of football,” he said.
“It was a great achievement for me, Zambia and the entire continent of Africa, it was the first time for an African referee to officiate such high profile game, I trained with the under-20 teams before the actual game so that I learn the new technology of which was of good help to me,” he said.
Sikazwe said he took the challenge upon entering the pitch and made sure nobody intimidated him, stating that he was never bothered by the names involved in the game.
“I took the challenge upon entering the pitch and told myself that I am in charge of the game, it was a great experience for me, people should not intimidate you as a referee but you have to follow the rules of the game,” he said.
He said he was looking forward for even bigger competitions and that he was now targeting the Russia 2018 World Cup since he was selected for the Gabon 2017 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
