Well-known former local and national soccer referee Shumani Phillip Tinyani of Dzimauli has been appointed chairperson of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) review committee.
Tinyani, a police officer at the Booysens precinct, began his refereeing career in the early 1990s when the Niani Football Association sought referees. In his early days, he officiated in the Great North East Province (now SAFA Vhembe) alongside Collins Netshiongolwe, Tshikonelo Nekhubvi, Israel Maphaha, Norman Mukwevho and Rudzani Mulaudzi. In 1998, he advanced his qualifications by completing the national referee certificate.
His new duties will include reviewing matches in the Diski Challenge, SAFA Hollywoodbets Women’s League, the Motsepe Foundation Championship League, and PSL, with a particular focus on referees’ conduct.
Tinyani’s performance at regional level impressed selectors, leading to his promotion to professional-level officiating in the 2003/04 season. In 2015, he was awarded a trophy and R50,000 for being the PSL’s Referee of the 2014/15 season while officiating SAFA Vhembe Regional League matches.
According to Tinyani, his professional debut came in a league match between Platinum Stars and AmaZulu FC. During his 19-year career, he officiated the Soweto derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates five times and also handled the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal derbies.
He said his most memorable games were the Nedbank Cup final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Ajax Cape Town, and the Telkom Cup final between Bloemfontein Celtic and Mamelodi Sundowns. He retired from refereeing in 2021.
Tinyani is currently the referees’ coordinator in the South African Police Service (SAPS), which he joined in 2009. He encouraged young people to take education seriously to prepare for the challenges of the future.