Charles Kafatiya no more
The football fraternity is in a state of shock following the death of former Fifa-rated referee, Charles Kafatiya on Tuesday.
Kafatiya passed away at Mlambe Hospital in Blantyre, National Referees’ Association General Secretary, Chris Kalichero, confirmed on Tuesday.
However, Kalichero was yet to get more details about the demise of Kafatiya, who also served as Football Association of Malawi Referees’ Sub-Committee member.
Kalichero described the death of Kafatiya as a big blow to the referees’ body, saying he was one of the best in the business.
He said Kafatiya will be missed as, upon retiring from the actual refereeing, he was still involved in the profession as a match assessor, match commissioner and trainer, among other roles.
“I am just receiving the communication from the Referees’ Development officer, Mr Maxwell Mtonga, that Kafatiya is no more,” Kalichero said.
“The information I have now is that he did suffer for quite a long time, and when he was taken to Mlambe, he was referred to the ICU [Intensive Care Unit] then he was pronounced dead. Let me come back once we hear more details,” Kalichero added.
The Daily Times has since established that burial will take place Thursday in Traditional Authority Masasa, an area which borders Ntcheu District on the turn-off to Golomoto along the Blantyre-Lilongwe road.

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