Wesselton boy climbs the ranks and officiates big soccer matches

Neo Zwane is only 15 years old and is already officiating big soccer matches in the SAB and Msukaligwa Local Football Association (LFA) leagues.

This young man from Phumula Section in Wesselton takes charge of the big boys, stamping his authority on and off the field.

An accredited soccer match official, he has climbed through the ranks and his superiors have entrustied him with big, vital matches as he gained more experience in his career.

Growing up playing football for Mighty Stars, a league football team in Wesselton, he fell into officiating when his peers asked him to take charge.

Trained by Mr Freddy Kasango and mentored by other referees, including seasoned official Mr Thulani Zwane, and Mr Hamilton Maseko, Neo sees his star on the rise as he now focuses on a career in soccer refereeing.

“I have to choose between my footballing career and officiating matches and I am leaning more towards the officiating part,” Neo said.

It was no easy feat for the youngster who had to go through gruelling physical training to become a certified referee.

He was tasked with officiating his first LFA league match just after being accredited which, according to him, was a bit daunting.

“However, my years of playing soccer for my school, and the dusty streets of Wesselton prepared me for it.”

With his small stature, Neo took control of the game and gained the respect of his peers and soccer players alike.

A familiar face at SAB soccer league matches as a ball boy, Neo was chomping at the bit to take charge of a match in this big league.

After officiating his first LFA season in 2017, he caught the eye of experienced match officials who approved of him officiating the later matches of the SAB league in the 2017/2018 season.

“It was a dream come true as I have been to every weekend match in that league and I know the players and most of the soccer community of Gert Sibande.”

With his weekends packed full of soccer action, Neo has little time to socialise with friends.

He divides his time between school, officiating at matches, being a son to his mother and a big brother to his younger brother.

He is a Grade 9 learner at Camden Combined School and is determined to study anything sports related at his university of choice.

“I am considering sports management at the University of Witswatersrand and it will be a step in the right direction if I am accepted.”

Neo currently officiates any match that he is requested to officiate, but he still enjoys taking charge of his peers at school and street matches in his township.

His name is first to be called when school competitions are hosted in Ermelo and he boasts officiating at the national Danone and Coca Cola Schools Cup competitions.

When asked if he did not have a budding career in refereeing, what would he do, Neo was quick to say that he would love to be a sports commentator.

It is clear Neo lives and breathes the beautiful game.

Soccer lovers can look forward to seeing him take charge on the field in the upcoming LFA and SAB soccer leagues.