Nkhakananga gets 4-month suspension

FAM referees’ sub-committee has slapped referee Godfrey Nkhakananga with a four-month suspension for messing up last Saturday’s Airtel Top 8 quarter-final between Silver Strikers and Mighty Wanderers, leading to the abandonment of the match.

In his report, the Fifa referee admitted to have blown a whistle for an infringement, but allowed play to continue leading to Silver’s second goal which sparked protests from Wanderers players before the match was abandoned.

Wrote Nkhakananga: “On [the]89th minute, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers handled the ball outside the penalty box and within the penalty arch. I blew the whistle and immediately after that, a goal was scored and I gave Silver an advantage, a goal Tunisia, was dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. It was dismissed because they caused an abandonment.”

However, Wanderers board secretary Chancy Gondwe said Alide’s explanation was not satisfactory.

He cited a 2018 World Cup qualifier between South Africa and Senegal in which the referee awarded a penalty for a non-existent handball and the referee was banned for life for match manipulation.

“This match was replayed and Fifa found Joseph Lamptey guilty. So, it cannot be that the referee’s decision is final,” argued Gondwe.