Malawi refs make Caf cut

By Praise Majawa:

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has appointed seven Malawian match officials for the November 2026 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2027 qualifiers and the Caf Women’s Champions League.

Four Malawian officials will handle the Afcon qualifier between Eritrea and Guinea on November 16 at Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt.

Fifa grade one referee Godfrey Nkhakananga has been appointed centre referee for the Afcon qualifiers’ match between Eritrea and Guinea at Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, on November 16, with Tembo Pondamali and Samuel Fudzulani serving as first and second assistant referee, respectively.

Easter Kalikokha Zimba will be the fourth official for the encounter.

Meanwhile, Michael Laston Makoto has been appointed referee assessor for the qualifier match between Zambia

and Burkina Faso at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, Zambia, on November 15.

Bernadettar Kwimbira will also serve as referee assessor for the match between Kenya and South Africa at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on November 17.

In a related development, Malawian female referee Eness Gumbo has been selected as Video Assistant Referee (Var) for the Caf Women’s Champions League, which will run from November 1 to 15 in Egypt.

She is among 30 referees appointed for the continental competition.

Football Association of Malawi (Fam) Referees Manager Duncan Lengani said the appointments reflected progress Malawian match officials were making towards joining the best on the continent.

“Fam will continue to support the development of match officials as part of its efforts to improve refereeing standards and increase Malawi’s representation in international football competitions,” Lengani said.