Malawi’s FIFA ref Ngulube fails to complete 90 minutes in Carlsberg Cup final
Experienced and renowned Malawian FIFA Referee, Dennis Ngulube, failed to complete taking charge of a thrilling Carlsberg Cup final match between Mighty Be Forward Wanderers and Silver Strikers at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday.
The tall and well built referee from Zomba, looked very fit and confident as usual at the beginning of proceedings. He was assisted by another FIFA referee Clemence Kanduku, who is a police officer in NkhataBay and Jonazio Luwizi, who is a health worker in the Dental Department at Mzuzu Central Hospital. Alfred Aziz Nyirenda, a teacher in the city of Mzuzu, was the fourth official.
As usual and as expected, Ngulube displayed expertise in handling the game. He made clear, timely and relevant decisions while communicating very well with Kanduku and Luwizi on the touch lines, until he blew the half time whistle.
Some minutes into the second half, Ngulube blew his whistle to allow the two teams a water break due to the hot weather condition of the day. It is at this point that he was seen sweating profusely and got himself a bottled water from the Wanderers bench.
He continued officiating the game until the 72nd minute when he was seen talking to the fourth official and later the Match Commissioner.
Ngulube complained of a heart problem and could not continue running. He then assumed the role of fourth official and Aziz Nyirenda had to take over to finish the last eighteen minutes as well as taking charge of the penalties.
“I could not continue running my friend. My heart was pumping very fast. I therefore had to continue as a fourth official. I am alright now but will have to see a physician when I get to Zomba,” explained the soft spoken Ngulube in a telephone interview on his way back to Zomba.
This was a seventh cup final in Malawi for Ngulube to officiate.
Internationally, he has officiated over thirty six matches in countries like Cape Verde, South Africa, Botswana, Ghana, Comoros, Gabon and Lesotho just to mention a few.
He remains one of the most reliable referees in the country’s top flight league.
Wanderers won the game 6-5 on post match penalties.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
It is very wrong to assume that referee Ngulube’s request to be excused from finishing the game last Saturday was due to Kachasu. This could happen to anyone just as it happened with late Bingu Wa Mutharika. Besides, this was not an ordinary game, it was a cup final with both teams expecting nothing but victory. There may be several contributing factors, like hot weather, pressure from the players when complaining to him when a foul had been committed. The referee must have been certified physically fit but responsible body or physician just as is the case with all players.… Read more »
Kachaso kachaso too malichi mbuzi zama refereee