National Sports

Former Flames goalie Masiye is dead

Former Malawi national football team (the Flames) goalkeeper Ganizani Masiye died in the early hours of Friday after succumbing to abdominal cancer.

According to FAM commercial manager Casper Jangale, Masiye had been sick for some time.

“We have just been informed about his death and it has come as a big shock,” said Jangale.

Masiye, 44, rose to become one of the best goal minders on the domestic scene in the 1990s while playing for Silver Strikers.

He was nicknamed ‘Cool Cat’.

He played for the Flames for a decade, between 1987 and ’97 and was the substitute ‘keeper to late DonnexG ondwe when the Flames won the East and Central Africa Senior Challenge Cup in 1988.

He was also the first-choice ‘keeper when the Flames reached the final of the same tournament the following year in Uganda, but got substituted for late George Waya in the final match which Malawi lost.

At the time of his death, he was serving as general secretary for Central Region Football Committee.

“The country has lost a very dedicated former player and official and as an association, we are saddened by his death,” said Jangale.

According to the FAM official, his body will be laid to rest on Saturday in Dzenza (Area 25), Lilongwe.

He made his debut for the Flames against Burundi on July 8 1987 and his last game was against Namibia in the Cosafa Cup in Windhoek, the Flames lost the game 4-1 in 1997.

Masiye is survived by a wife and three children.

His son Phillip is also a promising midfielder who has made a number of appearances for the Flames.

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