Chris Theko
Top Lesotho referee Souru Phatšoane is set for yet another milestone in Lesotho’s football history after he was announced amongst a list of match officials for the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games to be staged in Japan from July to August.
Phatšoane had already written his name in the history books having been the first referee from Lesotho to officiate at the Africa Cup of Nations (2017) as well as the Under-17 World Cup held in Egypt and Brazil (2019) respectively.
He becomes the first referee to officiate at the Olympics football tournament from Lesotho.
Lesotho referee’s committee coordinator, Mohau Sentšo described the selection as a great achievement for Phatšoane and the local footballing fraternity.
“The best news indeed for the refereeing department, the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) and the whole country because Phatšoane will be representing Lesotho. This shows that Lesotho is fast growing in standards of footballing” Sentšo said.
The president of LeFA Advocate Salemane Phafane KC also had nothing but great things to say in his statement saying Phatšoane’s appointment was a major achievement.
“This is a massive achievement not only for football, or Phatšoane as an individual, but for the whole country. It shows that there is something we are doing right in football to have had a referee breaking all these records officiating in the continent and globally in the last few years,” Phafane said.
According to a statement that was issued by the football governing body in Lesotho Phatšone will become the first football referee from Lesotho to officiate at the Olympics football tournament.
Deputy secretary-General of LeFA Chris Bullock also congratulated the top referee for his achievements.
“I am absolutely delighted for Phatšoane, he is amongst the best that Lesotho has produced, top quality referee. This is a fantastic achievement and a result of a lot of hard work. A brilliant motivation to all our referees and potential referees in the country when they see what can be achieved with hard work and dedication and I cannot wait to see others follow in his footsteps,” Bullock said.
Phatšoane was not able to give a comment stating that he won’t be able to because there are still some few procedures he has to go through first.
