A Malawian referee Joseph Sanama based in Cape Town, South Africa is shining in that country’s football.
Sanama, who hails from Kankande Village, T/A Kachindamoto in Dedza was on December 20 awarded the 2013 Club Referee of the Year at Nico Malan Hall in Cape Town.
The annual award is given by Cape Town All Stars Football Development.
In a Facebook interview with The Nation on Tuesday, Sanama said he outclassed 10 contestants.
“It is a great honour to have this award. I spent six years in my country [Malawi] without any medal and to be recognised in a foreign country is a blessing to the family and the nation. I am proud that I have something to show to the nation when I retire,” said Sanama.
The 27-year-old, who holds a South African Football Association (Safa) referee certificate Level 4, first joined Cape Town Stars of Africa Academy before moving to Cape Town All Stars FC last January.
Central Region Referees Committee (CRRC) fixtures secretary Innocent Kamwana Kaundula described Sanama as a hard worker with great ambition.
“I am not surprised that he is honoured in South Africa. I have worked with him. He is a hard-working man who loves his career,” said Kaundula.
Sanama left Malawi for South Africa in September 2008. His last Super League game was between Civo and Eagle Beaks, which Civo won 3-1 at Civo Stadium.
He has three levels to compete before being allowed to officiate PSL games.
Caps United calls Thindwa, Dalio for trials
PETER KANJERE
TNM Super League Golden Boot awardee Ishmael Thindwa left on Tuesday for two-week trials at Zimbabwe Premier League side Caps United alongside team mate Tsanzo Dalio.
The Epac FC pair has kept mum on its trip to Harare, but The Nation spotted them as they were about to board a bus on Tuesday morning in Blantyre. They arrived from Lilongwe on Monday evening.
Epac general secretary Roy Mdechi confirmed on Monday that the Zimbabwe side wanted to have a look at the two players.
Coincidentally, Caps will travel to Malawi on February 13 for Zambezi Challenge Cup.
“They were supposed to leave for Zimbabwe last week, but we asked Caps to write us officials and they have done that, assuring us of the players’ insurance cover among others during the trip and the trials in case of injuries,” Mdechi explained.
Thindwa, who has one cap, is on course to reclaim the golden boot with 15 goals having also won it in 2010 with 17 goals. On the other hand, Dalio is an underrated defensive midfielder who has earned some Flames call ups but he is yet to be capped.
The Independent newspaper of Zimbabwe confirmed that Caps United were looking to foreign talent after their offer of $500 monthly salary and $4 000 signing-on fee for midfielder Benson Magalasi was countered by Harare City who paid the player $10 000 signing-on fee and $1 000 salary with winning bonuses pegged at $400.
“But all is not gloom and doom as they have since roped in players from other Premier League clubs while four players from Zambia and Malawi are expected to try their luck at Caps. Midfielder Madalitso Mwanza from Zambia trained with Caps yesterday while a fellow countryman and two Malawians are expected in the country at the weekend,” reported the newspaper on Tuesday.
