The Football Association of Malawi has named David Chinoko to take charge of Sunday’s FDH Bank Cup semifinal Blantyre Derby between FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers at Kamuzu Stadium.
The appointment gives the nod to a referee who has steadily earned recognition for his composure and growing presence in top-level matches, as he prepares to oversee one of Malawi’s fiercest rivalries.
Referee – David Chinoko
Chinoko, a Northern Region-based referee, will be officiating his third Blantyre derby as the man in the middle.
He first handled the fixture on 26 October 2024, when The People’s Team defeated the Nomads 2-1 in a TNM Super League match at Kamuzu Stadium. He also took charge of the first-round league meeting earlier this season, which Wanderers won 1-0.
Sunday’s clash will mark his second Bullets match of the season and eleventh overall assignment involving The People’s Team.
Assistant Referee 1 – Clemence Kanduku
An experienced official with a history of handling major fixtures, Kanduku will serve as First Assistant Referee.
He has officiated several Bullets matches over the past two years, including the 2023 FDH Bank Cup Final, where The People’s Team beat Mafco FC 3-0, and the Castel Challenge Cup Final, which Bullets won on penalties against Silver Strikers.
After sitting out the 2024 season, he returned to action this year, featuring in the 1-0 league victory over Silver Strikers and the 2-1 Airtel Top 8 semifinal win over Karonga United. Sunday’s encounter will be his third Bullets fixture of the season.
Assistant Referee 2 – Samuel Fudzulani
Fudzulani, another Northern Region-based assistant referee, will handle his third Bullets match of the 2025 season.
He has already run the lines in the 1-0 Airtel Top 8 quarterfinal second leg win over Creck Sporting Club in Lilongwe and the 2-0 league victory against Mzuzu City Hammers away in Rumphi.
Fourth Official – Mercy Kayira
Kayira, one of Malawi’s most respected female referees, takes up Fourth Official duties for this semifinal.
She is familiar with Bullets matches and has already handled the goalless Airtel Top 8 quarterfinal first leg against Creck Sporting Club at Kamuzu Stadium, as well as the away league fixture against Mzuzu City Hammers earlier this season.
Her calm and authoritative approach has made her one of the few women regularly assigned to elite domestic fixtures.
Match Assessor – Duncan Lengani
Lengani will serve as Match Assessor for the third Blantyre derby of the 2025 campaign.
The veteran official, who retired from active refereeing a couple of years ago, will be assessing his first Bullets game this season and third match overall since taking up assessor duties. His presence adds an extra layer of oversight to what promises to be a fiercely contested semifinal at Kamuzu Stadium.
Match Details
Fixture: FCB Nyasa Big Bullets vs Mighty Wanderers
Competition: FDH Bank Cup Semifinal
Venue: Kamuzu Stadium, Blantyre
Date: Sunday, 2 November 2025
Kick-off: 14:30
The match will be broadcast live on Mpira TV, MBC TV, and streamed worldwide on FIFA+.
With a place in the 2025 FDH Bank Cup Final at stake, all eyes will be on Chinoko and his officiating team as The People’s Team look to bounce back and reclaim bragging rights in this latest edition of the Blantyre derby.
