The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) is mourning the loss of assistant referee Moses Mwale, who died recently after a short illness.

Mwale, 44, featured in a number of COSAFA tournaments and was regarded as one of the top assistant referees in the region.

“From the time Moses joined the football ranks he did not look back and that is how he rose through ranks to the level of being recognised by the football world governing body FIFA. In 2013, we all remember him being voted best assistant referee in Zambia,” FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya (pictured) said.

Mwale’s last international assignment was in Equatorial Guinea where he officiated at a 2018 World Cup qualification match between the hosts and Morocco in November.

He also officiated at the 2015 Barclays Cup final in Zambia.