Malawi referees hail CAF experience: Kanduku and Luwizi
Mzuzu-based FIFA assistant referees, Clement Kanduku and Jonazio Luwizi, have said it is something else to officiate at CAF games away from home as spectators and football officials respect their decisions warmly as they build confidence and learn a number of things in their career as match officials.
The two were speaking to Nyasa Times fresh from their CAF assignments.
Clement Kanduku, who is also General Secretary for the Northern Region Referees Committee, was in Zambia as first assistant referee to Patrick Ngoleka in a CAF Champions League match involving Zanaco, who were at home, and Gambia Armed Forces. The game ended 3-0 in favour of the home team. Festone Kusese was the second assistant referee while Ishmael Chizinga was the fourth official.
Jonazio Luwizi was in Comoros as assistant referee to Zomba-based Dennis Ngulube in a game between hosts Ngazi and Port Louis of Mauritius. The game ended in a one all draw.
Kanduku said he had a successful trip to Zambia adding that international matches are quite different from local matches.
“Here at home you are always labeled incompetent or stupid by the losing side while out there our decisions are highly respected by both the host and the visiting team. They know we are professionals. Such exposure builds confidence and expertise in our career as referees besides learning other people’s cultures,” explained Kanduku.
Taking his turn, Jonazio Luwizi told Nyasa Times that his trip to Comoros was so tiresome but he and his colleagues arrived safely and did a good job.
“It was a very good experience for me because this is the second time. Out there teams play fast and classic soccer. It’s an experience we can’t get here at home to be honest. It is my wish that many Malawian referees have this international exposure,” retorted Luwizi.
In the qualifying rounds of the CAF Champions League, each tie is played on a home-and-away two-legged basis. If the aggregate score is tied after the second leg, the away goal rule is applied. And if still tied, extra time is not played, and the penalty shoot-out is used to determine the winner.
Kanduku is a police officer while Luwizi is a health care giver in the Dental Department at Mzuzu Central Hospital.
