Malawi refs on Caf duty
By Mabvuto Kambuwe
Local referees continue to be recognised on the continent with some chosen to officiate Confederation of African Football (Caf) Cup match between hosts Zambia’s Green Buffaloes and Club Sportif Sfaxien of Tunisia at Nkoloma Stadium tomorrow.
Ishmael Chizinga will officiate the first-round match with the help of first assistant referee Clemence Kanduku, second assistant Festone Kusekuse and fourth official Alfred Chilinda.
Recently, Chilinda officiated some Cosafa Under-20 Championship games and a Confederation Cup match involving Buffaloes and El Merreikh Juba of Sudan.
National Referees Association General Secretary, Chris Kalichero, said local referees have shown maturity when handling games.
“Most of the referees have improved a lot and they are officiating games professionally. It is encouraging that the referees continue to be considered for the Caf games,” he said.
Former Flames’ midfielder Hellings Mwakasungula has, meanwhile, urged the referees to handle games professionally.
“It is a good development that some of the referees are officiating international games. I would be happy to see more local referees assigned to such duties,” he said.
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