Lesotho Football Association The Lesotho Football Association female match official Mathapelo Morake is enjoying the big stage officiating in her first COSAFA Women’s Championship.
Speaking with LeFA from Polokwane after officiating in four group stage matches of the regional tourney, the Leribe born referee is on cloud nine to have made her debut at the COSAFA Women’s flagship tournament.
“I’m very happy to be representing my country at this COSAFA Women’s senior tournament,” Morake said.
“I was nervous when I got the appointment to officiate at the tournament, but it got away once I officiated my first match.”
The 28-year-old, who is another product of the LeFA young talent initiative, admitted that officiating in the senior tournament is completely different to her previous experience officiating in the junior competitions.
“It’s way too different officiating in a tournament for senior teams and the training itself is different both technically and physically,” the Leribe born match officials told LeFA website.
Morake’s refereeing career took-off in 2021 and has never looked back since with her big breakthrough having come when she was appointed to officiate at the COSAFA Girls U20 Championship in 2024.
Not only did Morake make her debut internationally in 2024, but she also became a FIFA referee in the same year and with her first assignment being the U-17 World Cup Qualifier between Senegal vs Ivory Coast.
The Lesotho referee impressive officiating in her first COSAFA Women’s Championship has bow earned an appointment to lead the officiating team for Thursday semi-final clash where hosts, South Africa will take on Zimbabwe.
