Themba's Masixole wins at PSL Awards

FOOTBALL NEWS - A 26-year-old soccer match official from Thembalethu, Masixole Bambiso, was named Premier Soccer League (PSL) Referee of the Season at the PSL Awards in Johannesburg on Sunday , 28 May. Bambiso is the first person from George and the Eden Region to walk away with a PSL award.

Bambiso was nominated together with Abongile Tom and Sikhumbuzo Gasa for this award.

The young man from the dusty streets of Thembalethu started his refereeing journey in 2012, officiating in the George Local Football Association (Geolfa) League.

He has officiated at many tournament matches in South Africa, including the SAB u.21 Championship 2015, SA Schools Tournament 2015, Metropolitan Cup u.19 and Burger King u.19 tournaments, ABC Motsepe Provincial League, Motsepe Foundation League (formerly known as the Glad Africa Championship, National First Division), the DDC Dstv Diski Challenge, the PSL Reserve League and the National Premier Soccer League.

George Herald chatted to Bambiso on Monday morning. Bambiso said it was a great feeling to receive the award and he was very excited about it. It was not an easy journey and he faced many challenges and obstacles, but his hard work throughout the season paid off when he could bring the award home to George and the Eden Region.

Asked for some advice for upcoming, young match officials, he said that they have to realise it's not easy. They must work hard, stay disciplined and committed, and always have a desire to learn.

"Refereeing needs a lot of time, training and dedication and great love of sport," he said.

He sincerely thanked everybody who played a role in his refereeing career: his family for the massive support they gave him from the start of his journey; all his supporters who were there for him; his mentors Fanaphi "Ta Fire" Shishana and Bongani Dyana who taught him everything about refereeing and believed in him up until today; and his football "parents" Loyiso Shoto and Ben Qakaza for showing him how to balance life and football, to stay humble and disciplined.

The 2023 National Premier Soccer League Referee of the Season, Masixole Bambiso from Thembalethu. Photo: Zama Gagu