Gaba dedicates Bidvest win to Chakuamba
Flames striker Gabadinho Mhango has dedicated his South African club Bidvest Wits’ 2-1 win over Ajax Cape Town on Wednesday night to one of Malawi’s political icons Gwanda Chakuamba who died in Blantyre on Monday.
In the build-up to the Absa Premiership match, the striker tweeted: “Rest in peace Gwanda Chakuamba. I dedicate today’s game against Ajax Cape Town to the life and struggle of this Malawi’s political hero.”
After featuring in the entire match at Cape Town Stadium, he followed up with another tweet: “God is good. Great game. Three points. RIP Gwanda.”
In a telephone interview yesterday, Gabadinho said though he was not following national affairs when Chakuamba was at the heart of politics in 1990s and 2000s, history tells him that he was a famous figure.
“I was young when he used to run for political offices which included the presidency, but from my little knowledge, he did a lot to shape the future of our country,” the 24-year-old said.
Chakuamba held a number of ministerial positions both in the one-party state and post 1993 democratic era and he was also once leader of opposition in Parliament.
The win means Bidvest Wits, which Gabadinho joined this season, has maintained their unbeaten start to the Absa Premiership.
South Africa online publication Soccer Laduma reports that, during the match, Bidvest trailed from Eric Chipeta goal, but Eleazar Rodgers equalised before Mogakolodi Ngele netted the winner.
It further says that Gabadinho came close to scoring, but his powerful header was kept away by goalkeeper Jody February.
Gabadinho has stated that their target is to win the league. The former Nyasa Big Bullets forward ace a month ago helped his team to the MTN8 Cup triumph.
“It felt good to extend our winning run. We are taking each game as it comes. We have a good squad capable of winning the league. We just need to maintain focus,” he said.
Bidvest, with two games in hand, lie third with 10 points from four matches. They trail leaders Kaizer Chiefs by three points. n
