National Sports

3 Mafco players die in road accident

Mafco has lost 3 players: Mafco players in training
Mafco has lost 3 players: Mafco players in training

A dark cloud fell on Mafco FC on Thursday night when three of their key players—Sadani Mangwere, Chifuniro Phiri and Gift Mphande—died on the spot following a fatal road accident at Benga along the Salima Road.

Three others-vice-captain Silas Phiri, Gift Soko and Jimmy Mzunga suffered injuries and were rushed to Alinafe Hospital.

The club’s chairperson Captain Chitumba Chirambo confirmed the tragedy Friday morning, saying the players were travelling back to Malawi Armed Forces College (Mafco) from Dwangwa.

“The accident occurred at around 11pm at a place called Benga on their way to Salima from Dwangwa. We are making arrangements to collect the bodies and ferry them to their respective homes,” said Chirambo.

It is reported that the players were travelling in a civilian truck and when they reached Benga, the driver noticed a sign that a vehicle had broken down and in an attempt to avoid it, the truck lost balance leading to the trailer and then the front overturning.

With tears and solemnity, Mafco players and officials struggled to come to terms with the tragedy and one of the senior players Zasher M’nong’oneza said they were deeply shocked.

“We are at pains to accept the harsh reality that our friends are gone. We were with them just before the tragic accident; we shared jokes and laughed, not knowing that we were seeing them for the last time.

“It is shocking and very painful,” said M’nong’oneza, his voice straining with emotion.

He said the players had just been called back to Mafco where they were supposed to attend to other issues.

The tragedy has led Super League of Malawi (Sulom) to cancel Mafco’s Super League games against Kamuzu Barracks and Epac that were slated for this afternoon and tomorrow (Sunday) respectively.

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