Refs out to ‘kill us’—Nomads
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers say they are not amused by the incident that led to the abandonment of their Airtel Top 8 quarter-final first leg against Silver Strikers at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday.
The club’s board secretary Chancy Gondwe yesterday said they believe there is a conspirancy to kill the club.
Fifa referee Godfrey Nkhakananga appeared to have blown his whistle for an infringement just before Stain Davie scored the second goal for the Central Bankers which sparked controversy, leading to the abandonment of the match.
At the time of the abandonment, Silver were leading 2-1 in added time.
Said Gondwe: “There is a hell of poor officiation in this country. I don’t want to conclude that such poor officiation is as a result of a grand conspiracy against Wanderers.
“It seems Wanderers is the most hated team in this country. From what has been happening, it seems some football officials, especially referees are keen to kill Wanderers. They hate seeing Wanderers doing well.”
He said what the referee did was irresponsible and he deserves stiff punishment.
Said Gondwe: “With such type of refereeing, why should we have football competitions in this country? We appeal to football authorities to ban the referee. He deserves the worst punishment.
“You can only make that decision if you were under pressure to gift a team. That goal should never stand. The game should be replayed at the cost of the errant referee or else let him be banned.
“He should never be allowed to officiate future games involving Wanderers. He is a disgrace to football.
“And there is another one who gave a dubious penalty last week in Blantyre. Nothing is being said about that referee. He gifted a certain team a goal. Things are not adding up.
“Maybe it’s high time we invested our money in buying referees than players, after all buying referees is cheaper than buying quality players.”
On the misbehaviour by some alleged Wanderers fans who ripped up seats and threw them on the pitch in frustration, Gondwe said: “That must be the role of the security officers. That’s why they are paid to control any violent conduct.
“What did the security officers do ? Have they arrested any ? How do you conclude that they were Wanderers supporters or fans? I doubt if those are our fans. If indeed they are our fans, we have systems and procedures that we follow to discipline them.”
But in an interview yesterday, National Football Referees Association general secretary Chris Kalichero appealed to the Nomads not to jump to conclusions.
He said: “That is what happens when you are an aggrieved party. You say lots of things.
“But what I can say is that Nkhakananga is one of the best if not the best referee.
We are yet to meet the match commissioner to understand why the referee did what he did. Did he give an advantage to Silver? It is alleged that he blew the whistle and the question would be what, was it for? That is all we can say for now.”
On its part, Football Association of Malawi said they are waiting for the referee’s report.
The association’s competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka said: “The competitions committee will look at the report and also what the rules of the competition say.
“The referee is in charge of proceedings on the field of play, he is the boss. So. his report guides as to what transpired and his official position.”
