In an upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying match, Malawian FIFA referees Godfrey Nkhakananga and Clemence Kanduku have been appointed to officiate the game between Sierra Leone and Djibouti. The match will take place on June 5, 2024, in El Jadida, Casablanca, Morocco. Joining them will be Lucky Kegakologetswe from Botswana as an assistant referee and Sekou Konneh from Liberia serving as the Match Commissioner.

Chris Kalichero, the General Secretary of the Referees Association of Malawi, expressed confidence in the abilities of Malawian referees, highlighting Nkhakananga's appointment as a testament to the trust placed in them by international bodies.

Nkhakananga's career has not been without controversy. He faced a significant backlash after a contentious decision in a match where he awarded a goal to Silver Strikers against Mighty Mukuru Wanderers despite having blown his whistle in the lead-up to the goal. This incident led to a four-month suspension. Following his return, Nkhakananga officiated a match in a four-nations tournament between Kenya and Zimbabwe, marking his comeback.

The assignment of Nkhakananga and Kanduku to such a high-profile match underscores the continuing faith in their officiating capabilities despite past controversies. The game between Sierra Leone and Djibouti is a crucial fixture in the preliminary round of the World Cup qualifiers, and the performance of the officiating team will be closely watched.

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