Malawi football fraternity is mourning following the death of former Fifa assistant referee McGovern Mpeni.

He died on Thursday in Lilongwe and his body was laid to rest at Bua in Kasungu, on the outskirts of the Capital City, on Friday.

Mpeni was serving as Football Association of Malawi (FAM) referees assessor at the time of his death.

In a statement, FAM President Walter Nyamilandu-Manda described Mpeni’s as one of the top referees, assessors and instructors. 

“Mpeni will be remembered as a great leader who possessed excellent referees’ development and management skills. He was an accomplished Instructor and number of up-and-coming referees have gone through his mentorship. He played a big role in the development of Malawi football and his services and passion will be greatly missed,” Nyamilandu said.

FAM website says Mpeni joined the refereeing in 1990 as a beginner and rose through the ranks to become a FIFA Assistant Referee in 1999.

Mpeni, who was also a FIFA Futuro Instructor, retired in 2008.