FAM explains why Kanjere was recalled to officiate derby match

Mayamiko Kanjere

The widely followed derby in Malawi between FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers set for Saturday (today) in Blantyre has divided the two rival teams over centre referee, Mayamiko Kanjere.

Before matchday Bullets raised an alarm over his selection (Kanjere) by the referees committee to officiate the match.

Bullets went ahead to write to the Super League of Malawi (SULOM) to replace him accusing the ref of been against Bullets in previous matches. And on Thursday, Sulom replaced Kanjere for Easter Zimba.

Wanderers, on the other hand, challenged the decision, claiming that the current course of events will negatively impact Malawian football.

Nyasa Big Bullets defeated Mafco FC 2-1 to lift their fourth trophy for the 2023 season at Kamuzu Banda stadium.

On Friday, the committee responsible for selecting referees for the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) then recalled Kanjere back to officiate the game.

“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.”

However, Bullets brought to the committee’s attention that on May 7 of last year, SULOM replaced referee Gift Chicco with Alfred Kaphamtengo, to officiate a league match between Wanderers and Chitipa United due to concerns raised by Wanderers.

Since 2017, the Blantyre derby has only produced three victories with Bullets winning twice in 2017 and 2022 winning 1-0 and 2-1 respectively with Wanderers winning once in 2021, the match ended 1-0.