Blantyre-based giants FCB Nyasa Bullets and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers have warned that they expect fair play from referees assigned their TNM Super League derby tomorrow at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Mzuzu-based David Chinoko will officiate the match with Samuel Fudzulani as first assistant referee and Hendrix Maseko as second assistant.
Zebron Lengani will be the fourth official while Chalvin Ngolanga will be match assessor.
In the first round, the match was assigned to Mayamiko Kanjere as centre referee, Pondamali Tembo and Yohane Chiutika as first and second assistant referees.
derby: Chinoko
However, this caused uproar with Bullets writing Super League of Malawi that they were not comfortable with the set.
National Football Referees Association (NFRA) changed the set before reverting to the same after Wanderers condemned Bullets’ cherry-picking of officials.
This time both camps have welcomed the assigned officials.
Wanderers chief executive officer Panganeni Ndovi in an interview said they have no problem with the set of officials.
He said: “We expect a fair match with professionalism in terms of how the centre-man will handle the match. This is a big game that requires a high level of skill in officiating.”
His Bullets counterpart Albert Chigoga also shared the same sentiments, saying the referees can make or destroy the derby.
He said: “Let them perform their work as per the dictates of laws of the game. Otherwise we expect to watch a grand game.”
NFRA general secretary Chris Kalichero has assured the football fraternity and the two clubs that the referees are capable of handling the match professionally.
He, however, warned that the clubs should respect the referees’ decisions and refrain from attacking them.
He said: “Our referees will continue to apply the laws of the game without fear and favour and the clubs should respect their decisions.”
Meanwhile, Mwayi Msungama will officiate the capital city derby between Silver Strikers and Civil Service United on Sunday at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe.
Pondamali Tembo will be first assistant, Joseph Nyauti will be second assistant while Kondwani Kamwendo will be the fourth official.
The Blantyre derby could be a turning point in the TNM Super League title battle.
Second-placed Wanderers are six points adrift of leaders Silver Strikers who have 50 points.
Bullets on the other hand, are fourth with 37 points, seven adrift of the Nomads.
In Mzuzu, Melluce Nyirongo will officiate the Mzuzu derby between Moyale Barracks and Mzuzu City Hammers with Mabvuto Godoya and Khumbo Mandlopa as first and second assistant referees.
