BIKITA: Referees are the game’s facilitators, the caretakers who mop the stage and hoover the stalls before the production begins. If your seat in the theatre is clean, you get on with your evening. If it is dirty, you curse whoever failed in their task. Refereeing is the same. Or at least it used to be.
After the Felix Tangawarima’s and Wilfred Mukuna’s of the mid-1990s, we hardly knew the names of Zimbabwe football referees, let alone those from remote places like Bikita.
Step forward, Tabani Ruzario a plant supervisor at Bikita Minerals and he has quickly established himself as a competent and composed official. His pencil-slim frame has arguably turned him into the most recognised referee in the country.
With players, his style of refereeing has made him stand out. His no-nonsense application of the laws of the game coupled with a sense of humour and humanity has endeared him to most players and fans even if they are on the receiving end of a decision.
His ascent to the top was more rapid than most, after only completing three seasons in the lower divisions, before being promoted to officiate Premiership games. His remarkable ability to make crucial decisions with precision and impartiality has earned him respect among players, coaches, and fans.
Early this year, his unique style earned him a call-up as a CAF referee, with the opportunity to referee in the biggest games in African football. Surely, Ruzario’s reputation has extended beyond the mine and country borders.
The secret to Tabani Ruzario’s success is respect.
“You have to be accepted on the field of play not because you are the referee, but because people trust you,” he said.
“This means you can reach the best result a referee can reach, which is to be accepted even when he is wrong.”
Respect for officials is entirely self-fulfilling. If players begin to trust your actions and your manner, others will follow suit. If players and managers begin to lose faith in your judgement, every one of your decisions is placed under an unforgiving microscope.
Ruzario has gone beyond mere respect; creating an aura.
Ruzario, who was born on March 11, 1989, started playing soccer as a toddler on the streets in Zengeza 1 and in primary school at St Mary’s Anglican Primary School in Chitungwiza.
He then perfected his talent at Zengeza 2 High School, in Chitungwiza where he did his secondary education.
Soon after leaving school, he joined Border Strikers, nicknamed Vavheneki, as a left-back and stayed there between 2006 and 2008 when I moved back to the capital, Harare, to join CAPS United reserves.
Soon, Ruzario was on the radar of Bulawayo-based Chicken Inn Football Club where he played as left-back between 2010 and 2011. In 2016, he joined Bikita Minerals football club and is employed as a DMS Plant supervisor.
The sky is the limit keep on grinding and shining Tabani Ruzario. Bikita Minerals is proud of you!!!
