The Flames of Malawi has lodged a complaint with the World football
governing body, FIFA, citing security fears at the U.J. Esuene
Stadium, Calabar, Cross River State, where Nigeria hosts the Flames
for the September 7 World Cup qualifier.
The Football Association of Malawi Chief Executive Officer, Suzgo
Nyeirenda, who confirmed writing FIFA on Monday, also expressed
reservations over the choice of referee Hamada el Moussa Nampiandraza
for the Group F winner-takes-all match.
“There is security risk in Calabar where the match will be played as
reported by the Commonwealth Commission. The venue of the match is
risky to our delegation and we would like FIFA to shift to Abuja or to
a neutral country where our delegation will be safe,” Nyeirenda wrote
to FIFA general secretary.
“Calabar has been flagged as a high-risk security area and this alert
cannot be taken lightly. Our Minister of Sports will be part of the
travelling delegation and we don’t want to take security risk by
travelling to Calabar.”
FAM also has issues with referee Nampiandraza, citing that “his
performance at the 2013 Afcon was not good and we also question the
decision of early disclosure of the match officials. FAM would like to
register this protest with your office so that FIFA can intervene
urgently.”
Nampiandraza was listed on world referee website as the youngest (36)
referee who has ever refereed a match at the African Cup of Nations.
He was accused of having problems with throw-in decision during Niger
and Morocco match as there were some mistakes and furthermore he
missed a handball, which would have led to a promising attempt for
Morocco.
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