Wa Ganyu

Thirty-five elite referees from across the country are participating in a 5-day FIFA Member Associations Elite Referees Course at Mpira Village in Blantyre that has incorporated Video Assistant Referee-VAR training for the first time in Malawi.

Only two referees in the names of Pondamali Tembo and Godfrey Nkhakananga were certified for VAR having gone through the training in South Africa.

Speaking after opening the training, chairperson of the Referees Association of Malawi Patrick Sapanga said the training is timely and relevant in modern day officiation as it is now increasing the number of elite referees that will be certified for VAR.

“As an association, we are very happy to have this training as this will not only equip our referees with the needed expertise but they will also be an increased number of our referees to be considered for Cosafa, CAF games as you are aware that VAR is now a critical element in officiation,” said Kapanga.

FIFA Fitness instructor in Africa, Ephraim Mark Nzengo said this routine of training is very important as it helps all the nations to be on the same level and that the Malawian referees should count it all joy that they will be able to meet the FIFA VAR compliant requirement.