Battle for Fifa badges
It does not rain but pours for one of the country’s leading female referees, Grace Msiska, after she failed the Fifa-sanctioned referees fitness test at Kamuzu Stadium on Tuesday.
This was the third successive time for Msiska to fail the test and now she faces a bleak future as she risks losing her Fifa badge.
Msiska alongside assistant referee Olivia Chimera failed the test in the women’s section where as Bernadettar Kwimbira-Mzika, Charity Ndozi, Happiness Mbandambanda (assistant referees), Mercy Mziya, Agness Chamayera (referees) passed the test.
Msiska was in tears as she could not believe the result and she cried out: “Why me Lord?” as she hopelessly lay on the hot artificial turf.
Unlike in women’s section where two out of seven participants failed the test, the men’s section produced 100 percent pass rate as the likes of Dennis Ngulube, John Phiri, Feston Kusekuse and Clemence Kandulu passed the test.
Fifa Development Officer Carlos Henriques, Zimbabwean Caf instructor Felix Mtangawalima, Malawian Caf instructor Ephraim Mzengo, National Referees Fitness instructor Moffat Champiti and retired Caf instructor Bester Kalombo conducted the tests.
Meanwhile, both Champiti and Mzengo said they were concerned with Msiska’s performance.
Champiti said they would approach the referee to find out what was affecting her performance.
“We really need to discuss with her to improve her performance as currently she is ineligible to officiate both local and international games,” he said.
Mzengo feared Msiska might lose her Fifa badge having failed the test for the third successive time.
“I will need to check with Caf if they took into account the previous results. If they took into consideration those previous results, then am afraid that they will remove her from the list of officiating games,” he said.
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