National Sports

Mafco players laid to rest

Was laid to rest on Friday: Mphonde
Was laid to rest on Friday: Mphonde

The bodies of three Mafco players who died in a road accident at Benga in Nkhotakota on Thursday night—Gift Mphonde, SadaniMangwere and Chifuniro Phiri—have been laid to rest at their respective homes.

According to a statement from Malawi Defence Force (MDF), Mphonde’s body was buried on Friday evening at his home village Giya in T/A Chikowi in Zomba.

Mangwere and Phiri were buried yesterday in Zomba and Kasungu respectively.

Mangwere hailed from James Village, T/A Chikowi, whereas Phiri came from T/A Kaomba’s area.

Mafco chairperson Captain Chitumba Chirambo said they were devastated with the death of the trio.

“It is a very big blow which we are failing to come to terms with. These were young upcoming players destined for a bright future,” said Chirambo.

Super League of Malawi (Sulom) president Innocent Bottomani and FAM chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda yesterday expressed their condolences to the bereaved families.

Said Bottomani: “We are deeply shocked with the untimely death of the three young players and our thoughts are with the bereaved families, Mafco and the entire MDF.”

Nyirenda said: “Football has suffered a huge setback because these were some of the promising players that could have made it to the national team at some point. They also helped Mafco win the Presidential Cup. We are, therefore, saddened by their demise and may their souls rest in peace.”

Meanwhile, the other three survivors—vice-captain Silas Phiri, Gift Soko and Jimmy Mzunga are reported to be making steady progress and have since been transferred from Salima District Hospital to Mafco Clinic.

Reports indicate that the six players were released from camp in Dwangwa on disciplinary grounds on the day they met their fate as they were travelling back to Salima.

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