Two match commissioners have blamed grade one referee Godfrey Nkhakananga for messing up the 2023 Airtel Top 8 Cup season six opener between Silver Strikers and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, Times Sport can reveal.
The development comes after Nkhakananga, in his report, indicated that the match ended 2-1 despite its abandonment in added time after Silver scored a second goal in controversial circumstances.
According to our investigations, the two commissioners that were assigned to oversee the match, both National Women’s Football Association Chairperson Adellaide Migogo and Central Region Football Association Vice General Secretary Antonio Manda, faulted the referee in their reports submitted to the Football Association of Malawi (Fam).
In the reports, the match commissioners blamed the referee for blowing the whistle for a free-kick before handing an advantage [play-on] to Silver, which helped substitute Stain Davie to score Bankers’ second goal.
The commissioners also faulted fans for throwing stones and looting chairs.
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However, both Migogo and Manda refused to disclose the contents of their reports, referring us to Fam’s competitions desk.
Fam Competitions Chairperson Justice Jabbar Alide confirmed receiving the reports but did not disclose contents of the reports.
“We have received match reports. We are meeting today over lunch to discuss the same,” he said.
Meanwhile, former Fifa referee Bester Kalombo, who retired in 2012, questioned the referee for playing an advantage after he had already stopped play.
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“I do not believe that a referee of Nkhakananga’s calibre did that and if it is true then this is a problem.
“We only play advantage using gestures and not by blowing a whistle and this puts the whole issue into disarray because the referee’s decision is final and the result stands according to what I know,” he said.
Fam is expected to make its ruling through the competitions committee later this week.
In a related development, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Fam condemned the barbaric acts in statements released yesterday.
In its statement, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has condemned the unruly scenes and destruction of property that took place at BNS on Saturday.
“Much as the ministry understands that football is an emotional game and fans are part, the behaviour displayed at the stadium is retrogressive, unacceptable and uncivilised.
“According to Brazilian football legend, Pele, football is a beautiful game but such barbaric behaviour goes against the ethos of sports which promotes fair play and the spirit of sportsmanship. Stadia are supposed to be safe places for family entertainment. Acts of this nature put many lives at risk and tarnish the image of the sponsors who complement government efforts to develop sports in this country,” the statement, issued Monday and signed by Secretary for Youth and Sports Isaac Katopola, reads.
The statement further urged stakeholders including Fam, Malawi National Council of Sports and security bodies to stop the unbecoming behaviour.
Similarly, Fam condemned the acts of vandalism that occurred at BNS on Saturday.
“The acts of hooliganism and vandalism that were perpetrated by a section of supporters who were not happy with a referee’s decision were uncalled for and put the game of football into disrepute,” the statement reads, adding that investigations were underway to ascertain what happened and ensure that appropriate measures are taken against the perpetrators.
