Plans underway to remove Kanjere, Chiutika 

Wa Ganyu 

Ahead of the Blantyre Derby this Saturday at Kamuzu Stadium, in the TNM Super League, Super League of Malawi (Sulom) has released match officials with Mayamiko Kanjere to take charge. 

Pondamali Tembo and Yohane Chiutika are scheduled to assist while Cedric Mwachumu and Moffat Champiti will serve as fourth official and match assessor, respectively. 

What has happened? 

Just after Sulom released the list, officials were surprised that Kanjere and Chiutika will be traveling from the central region to officiate matches in the southern region which was not supposed to be the case. 

Bone of contention 

Kanjere, who has officiated the Blantyre derby for five times, is now operating in the central region where he is also working. This move means Kanjere is under the central region referees association, just as is the case with Chiutika.

Wa Ganyu understands that the central region referees association was not informed that their two referees would be assigned matches in the south. 

“If the southern region wanted to take a referee from the central region they were supposed to inform us so that we could select one to help them. In this case, they did not call us and we are surprised to see the allocation,” said our source. 

The source has also confided in us that the association will have a meeting soon to review the selection.

How did they settle for Kanjere, Chiutika? 

According to Wa Ganyu’s understanding, the southern region has only three referees who can officiate the Blantyre derby. These are Mwayi Msungama, Zebron Lengani and Gift Chicco.

Chicco was rejected by Wanderers last year which means he is already out of the equation while Msungama has been in charge for the past two derbies, hence trying to change. Lengani has never officiated the Blantyre derby. 

Kanjele has been a southern region referee until five months ago when he relocated to Lilongwe for his professional duties.

Chiutika is also in the southern region for work and he will be there for months. This is why the two were roped in to take charge of the first Blantyre derby in 2024.  

The latest…

Wa Ganyu knows two names that might replace Kanjere if they settle for a change. First person is Easter Zimba from the central region. If not then they will opt for Lengani who would be handling the derby for the first time. 

Zimba has been in charge of Blantyre derbies twice, a third attempt failed during the Castel Cup semi final  match after he sustained an injury just before kickoff. 

Chances are also high that Msungama might be considered to be the central referee. Msungama has twice been in charge of the Blantyre derby and they all ended in draws.  

Take note

As per the current setup in the league, referees officiate matches per the region they belong; it is different to cup games where refs can rotate.

This is the moment Wa Ganyu comes to confirm ‘kuti awawa inu apwetekana!’ 

This is a developing story and we’ll keep updating you.