Top South African football outfit Mamelodi Sundowns have honoured their legend and former midfield maestro Ernest ‘Wire’ Mtawali for his contribution towards the club’s success.
The Malawian was honoured with a number 10 framed jersey before Sundowns’ CAF Champions League semi-final first leg against Egyptian side Al Ahly at Loftus Vesfield in Pretoria which ended goalless.
In an interview yesterday, Mtawali, who became the first foreigner to win the South Africa Footballer of the Year Award in 1985 while at Bloemfontein Celtic, said he felt humbled with the recognition.
“Over the years, there have been several high-profile players who made a big impact at the club and to get such a recognition is something special,” he said.
“I thank the club’s and CAF president [Patrice Motsepe], board, management, the fans and the entire Sundowns set up for this.”
Sundowns communications department had not yet responded to our questionnaire at press time yesterday.
Mtawali captained the former African champions from 1989 to 1996 with a season long stint at Argentine top side Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina in between.
During his stint with Sundowns, they won the league title twice in 1990 and 1993 and also the BP Top 8, JPS Special and the Iwisa Charity Spectacular, among others.
“I think my best season with the Brazilians was in 1991 when we won a treble. We clinched the league title, the JPS Iwisa Spectacular and the BP Top 8,” he said.
Football Legends Association board chairperson Jim Kalua said in an interview they are proud of their member’s achievement.
“Obviously, being one of us, we are proud of him as it speaks volumes of the contribution that our members have made not only here at home, but beyond the borders as well,” he said.
Apart from Mtawali, other Malawians who have played for Sundowns include Chancy ‘Vinny’ Gondwe, Lovemore ‘Rambo’ Chafunya, the Malunga brothers, Holman and Kennedy, and Cedric Nankhumwa.
Mtawali also had stints with Orlando Pirates, whom he helped win the league title and BP Top 8 during the 2000/01 season, Welkom Real Hearts, SuperSport United, Hellenic, Jomo Cosmos and PJ Stars where he doubled as co-coach before retiring.
He is also the only Malawian to have played in one of the top five leagues in Europe when he starred for Toulose in the French top-flight between 1997 and 1999, He also spent a season at Al Wehda in the Saudi Arabian top-flight.
In 2019, Mtawali was also honoured by the Gauteng Province for his contribution to the development of football in the rainbow nation.
