Sulom moves on to do the right thing at the wrong time

Super League of Malawi and the National Referees Association have shown great power by trashing FCB Nyasa Big Bullets’ request to have the Derby officiating panel Changed at the wrong time.

Chronic weeping and inconsistent and incompetent officiation is about to bring the much-anticipated old-aged Blantyre Derby to imperilment. The Super League of Malawi has been placed in between the rocks.

Sulom will have to settle the dust in a space of less than 48 hours to deterge the image of Malawi’s football. The Blantyre Derby, the biggest fixture on the land attracts a large fanbase but the 75th Derby attracts more than the fanbase before the match Day.

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Sulom on Wednesday released a team of match officials to handle the games in week 5 of the season, and FIFA Referee, Mayamiko Kanjere was tasked to handle the Blantyre Derby with Pondamali Tembo and Yohane Chiutika being his assistants while Cedric Mwachumu and Moffat Champiti were tasked with the fourth official and match assessor roles respectively.

This Sulom regime has been too solicitous, eleven months ago, Gift Chicco was replaced by Alfred Kaphamtengo in the eleventh hour in the game between Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and Chitipa United at Kamuzu Stadium after the Nomads penned Sulom over changing Chicco, eventually, Wanderers lost the game.

It was reported that Wanderers were not happy with Chicco to officiate their game claiming that he wrecked the 2021 Blantyre Derby and they even reported him to the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

A similar situation erupted on Thursday as FCB Nyasa Big Bullets requested Sulom to replace Mayamiko Kanjere and Yohane Chiutika saying they failed to handle the opening fixture of the team against Dedza Dynamos at Dedza Stadium.

The People’s Team in a letter dated May 1, 2024, signed by the Club’s Chief Administrative Officer, wants Sulom to “immediately” replace Kanjere and Chiutika for performing “poorly” during their game against Dedza Dynamos.

“As a Club, we would like to bring your attention to that during the league’s opening match on 6 April 2024 in Dedza where FCB Nyasa Big Bullets played against Dedza Dynamos Football Club, Messrs Mayamiko Kanjere and Yohane Chiutika who were the referee and 1st Assistant Referee respectively, performed poorly to the dismay of our team officials and supporters.

“The decision of the two match officials were generally inconsistent and biased against Bullets.

“In view of the foregoing, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets does not believe that it is a rational decision to assign the same officials to manage a high-profile game between Bullets and Wanderers,” said Chigoga.

Issues of incompetent officiation have been a chronic weeping in the country, with about three notable cases recorded this season. Andrew Bunya cried at Mzuzu Stadium in Dedza’s draw against Moyale Barracks, Kalisto Pasuwa was frustrated with Kanjere’s performance at Dedza while Jimmy Mzunga claimed that referee’s performance in the first half against Silver Strikers demoralized his players.

Sulom bowed down to Bullets’ request and they replaced the two match officials with Easter Zimba and Clement Kanduku.

However, Wanderers penned Sulom over the decision to change the officiation saying they were in deep concern and dismay regarding the decision to allow FCB Nyasa Big Bullets to influence the selection of the officiating panel.

“Clubs are not permitted to interfere with the officiating panels of matches as this goes against the principle of fairness and impartiality that are essentials in Sports. By allowing FCB Nyasa Big Bullets to manipulate the selection process, Sulom is setting a dangerous precedent that undermines the integrity of the game and opens the door for potential match-fixing,” reads the letter by Mighty Mukuru Wanderers in part.

Wanderers said changing the officiation panel at the behest of one Clubs violates the FIFA Code of Ethics and Fair Play.

While the Referees Association of Malawi insists that its members are doing a great job, grey areas remain in the game of football as Clubs have been protesting their decisions for a while.

Blantyre Derby has never fallen short of complaints from the Clubs. at Kamuzu Stadium saying the Club observed several questionable decisions going in favour of Mighty Mukuru Wanderers.

Wanderers were unhappy with Chicco in 2021 and his team alongside Benedetta Kwimbira. Mwayi Msungama last season was questioned for failing to send Yamikani Fodya off following his challenge on Gaddie Chirwa on the edge of the penalty area.

Sulom General Secretary, Williams Banda couldn’t comment on the matter when we went to the press. The Derby is set for Saturday, May 4 at Kamuzu Stadium at a time when the two teams are tied up on 8 points.

Sulom, NRA move on to amend things but that’s too late

Meanwhile, the Referees Appointment Committee which is under FAM Referees Committee has rescinded its decision to appoint referees to handle the Blantyre Derby.

“The Referees Appointment Committee which is under the FAM Referees committee in its mandate to appoint referees for matches has rescinded its decision of the appointment of referees to officiate the Bullets Vs Wanderers match to its earlier appointment. Following FIFA Statutes, The appointment committee is an independent committee that makes decisions about appointments professionally without due interference from any other body like clubs, associations, leagues, or individuals.

“The committee has decided to be professional and stand by its decision without being influenced hence has come back to its earlier appointment of match officials for the Nyasa Big Bullets Vs Mighty Mukuru Wanderers match to be played at the Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday 4th May, 2023.

“The Committee would like to inform all that It will never tolerate any influence from individuals who are not committee members of the appointment committee. The committee is asking all to leave it,” reads the press release from the Referees Appointment Committee.

Sulom has also released a statement saying they will not change the referees and will remain the same but they will ensure that the games are being handled with fairness.

“The Super League of Malawi (SULOM) wishes to inform the general public and all football lovers that it has not and will not change the officiating panel for the Blantyre derby between FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers which is to be played on Saturday, 4th May 2024 at Kamuzu Stadium.

“The same has already been communicated to all relevant stakeholders. SULOM recognizes the importance of having impartial and competent officiation in the development of football in Malawi. Thus, SULOM will at all material times ensure that Super League matches are officiated with the utmost fairness and integrity.

“We urge all clubs, fans, and stakeholders to support the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship that defines the beautiful game. The Blantyre Derby is a celebration of Malawian football, and we are confident that it will be played and administered with the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. Let the best team win as we continue to Revive, Reform, and Rebrand the League,” reads the statement.

All these sense-making press releases could have been more meaningful last season when teams were manipulating the selection of match officials.

Kanjere will need character to handle the pressure

Others suggest that Sulom could have changed the referee to allow a smooth Derby saying the mist may affect Mayamiko Kanjere’s decisions on Saturday while others suggest that Kanjere would have excused himself from the heat.

“As a professional referee, [Mayamiko] Kanjere would have excused himself from the Blantyre Derby. Listening to Kalisto Pasuwa’s interview after the game against Dedza, it’s easy to conclude that the motion is to influence the decisions of the referees,” posts Dyson Mussah.

The dust rumbling over before the derby could affect the referee’s performance but with characters and following the rules of the game, Kanjere will have to resist this pressure. He has been at this point on five occasions.

The hiking of the prize money for the winner also makes the teams to be scrambling for success. Bullets have been winning the championship for the last five seasons. This season Wanderers and Silver Strikers are up to challenge Bullets’ pre-eminence.