Former Malawi national team striker Esau ‘Black Mamba’ Kanyenda has died of liver cancer in the United Kingdom, sending shockwaves across the country on Tuesday morning.
Malawi President Arthur Peter Mutharika led the nation in mourning, saying he was deeply saddened by the loss of one of Malawi’s football greats.
“His death has robbed Malawi of a true son of the soil and a man who devoted his energy to raising our national flag high across Africa and Europe, where he starred for Russian Football Club, Rostov,” said Mutharika.
Parliament observed a minute of silence in honour of the striker, who scored 22 goals in 72 appearances for the Flames.
Just a day earlier, on Monday morning, Kanyenda had posted on his Facebook page that he had been diagnosed with liver cancer and asked for prayers.
He wrote: “Hello everyone! Just to let you know that I’m diagnosed with liver cancer here in the UK. I’m fighting for this. Need your prayers.”
News of his passing the following morning left the entire nation stunned.
Lyon and Scorchers striker Tabitha Chawinga expressed her heartbreak, saying: “Still in shock. Losing a friend so suddenly has left me frozen between fear and disbelief… My heart is heavy, and my thoughts are with the family. Rest in peace, my friend, Black Mamba.”
Flames captain Gabadinho Mhango said he would forever honour the moments he shared with Kanyenda.
“A true legend of the game. He honoured me with his number 11 jersey for the Flames… Rest in power. The Mamba rests,” said Mhango.
His close friend and former teammate Fischer Kondowe said he was struggling to process the news.
“It is something that I cannot understand… May his soul rest in peace,” he said.
His Football Career
Kanyenda began his career with Dwasco in 1999, scoring 47 goals in 60 matches.
He moved to Jomo Cosmos in South Africa, scoring 26 goals in 46 games, before heading to Russia, where he played for Rostov (26 goals in 107 games), Kamaz (21 goals in 44 games), and Rotor (7 goals in 27 appearances).
He later returned to South Africa to join Polokwane City, featuring in 99 matches and scoring 22 goals.
In 2017, he returned to Malawi with Mighty Wanderers, helping them win the league title after eight years and scoring 11 goals. He remained with the club until 2018.
Since retiring, Kanyenda had been living in the UK with his family.
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