Chiukepo leaves behind a trail of records

One of the country’s prolific net-busters Chiukepo Msowoya has retired, closing the last chapter of a career that spans over two decades  and spiced up with plenty of records.

The former Flames international, who retires just two seasons after joining Mighty Mukuru Wanderers from FCB Nyasa Bullets in 2022,  is the only player to score over a  century goals in TNM Super League since 2000 and won the golden boot thrice.

As he hangs his boots, he has a record 129 league goals, according to Super League of Malawi (Sulom) records.

He won the golden boot in 2007 (17 goals) with Escom United  and twice with Bullets in 2016 (14 goals) and 2018 (16 goals).

At national team, the 35 year-old, who had his debut in 2006, netted 23 goals in 90 caps and is third on top scorers list led by all-time great Kinnah Phiri who has 71 goals in 117 caps.

The others are Frank Sinalo and Lawrence Waya (both with 27 goals), Stock Dandize (23 goals), Yasin Osman (22 goals) and Esau Kanyenda (21 goals), according to Football Association of Malawi records.

He scored his last goal for Malawi at the 2022 Cosafa Cup in the Flames’ 2-1 loss to Lesotho.

The forward,  who was in the Flames squad that qualified for the 2010 Angola Africa Cup of Nation, saw his career sprouting from Eagles of Karonga his home district, to Escom United and later Orlando Pirates of South Africa at his peak.

Chiukepo made the announcement of his retirement on Friday and it comes after he was off-loaded at Wanderers.

The striker said it was time to hang the boots.

He said: “I’ve had the privilege of being a professional football player for almost 20 years now and I feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity.

“It has been an amazing journey, filled with unforgettable moments and emotions. I want to thank the Malawi National Football Team and all the clubs that I have played for, the coaches who supported me, plus team-mates who have become friends.

“Special thanks must go to my family members and my closest friends. They have been a part of my journey from day one and have given me so much love and support, through the good times and the bad. God has been faithful throughout my journey.

“Thank you to all my fans who have shown me so much love no matter the circumstances and no matter which club I was representing.”

The burly striker has not revealed his next move, but it seems he will be joining his contemporaries in coaching.

Meanwhile, the football fraternity has welcomed the player’s retirement with respect and admiration.

Wanderer’s board secretary Chancy Gondwe said Chiukepo was hard-working and professional throughout his stint with the Nomads.

Former Flames defender James Sangala also paid tribute to Chiukepo for his industrious career.

“I wish up-and-coming players could emulate Chiukepo’s character. They can learn a lot from his career.

“He started his Flames career at a time when we had top strikers like Esau Kanyenda and Russel Mwafulirwa.

“It was very tough to compete against these experienced strikers.

“But he still managed to break through and contributed a lot to the Flames,” said Sangala.

Kinnah, who handed Chiukepo his national team debut in 2006, said he reminded him of his playing days.

“He was always hungry for goals,” he said.

Sulom on Friday also paid a special tribute for Chiukepo on Facebook.

“Your prolific contributions to our elite league have left an indelible mark in the country’s football history. Farewell, and may your next chapter be as remarkable as your goal-scoring legacy,” Sulom posted on Facebook.

Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa said it was special to have Chiukepo in his squad when he arrived in 2018.

He said: “He was one of the senior players that I met when I came to Bullets. These are the guys who helped me a lot to settle down. Very disciplined guy.

“I had no problems with him in terms of discipline and, at times, he and other seniors were even helping us mentoring the youngsters who were coming in.”

Born on 23 September 1988, Chiukepo’s football career took off at Kaphuka Private School in Blantyre where his exploits attracted Super League clubs.

In 2006 he had a stint with Red Lions, but was eventually snapped up by Escom United where he spent three seasons and helped them win the TNM Super League in 2007.

He was then signed by Mozambique outfit Liga Muçulmana in 2009, where he only spent a season before he was loaned to APR FC of Rwanda.

South African giants Orlando Pirates signed him soon after the expiry of his season-long loan deal at APR FC.

He spent two seasons at the Buccaneers who later loaned him to another Premier Soccer League outfit Platinum Stars in 2012.

Chiukepo then returned home in 2013 and re-joined his former club Escom United, but only spent just a season before retracing his steps back to Mozambique to join Maxaquene.

There he stayed for a season before joining another Mozambican side Costa do Sol.

He then left them before the season ended and returned home in 2016 to join Bullets and won his second golden boot as well as the Player of the Season Award.

Chiukepo then returned to South Africa to join Golden Arrows, but only spent a season before re-joining Bullets for the second time in 2017 and went on to win a record third golden boot in 2018.

But above all, Chiukepo is often remembered for his 89th minute stunner in joint 2010 World Cup and Afcon qualifiers against Egypt when Malawi ended the six time Afcon champions’ unbeaten record at Kamuzu Stadium with a 1-0 victory.

He came off the bench to replace Mwafulirwa and pounced on Stanley Sanudi free kick rebound with a thunderous shot in the six-yard to the roof, leaving iconic goalkeeper El Hadary rooted as Malawi registered a historic win over the Pharaohs.