Sports and Games

Mtawali available for legends clash

Mtawali available for legends clash

Malawi National Football Team former playmaker Ernest ‘Wire’ Mtawali has committed to feature for Flames legends against their Zambian counterparts at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on December 28.

Speaking from his base in South Africa on Thursday, Mtawali said the match would give soccer lovers a chance to appreciate the two countries’ legends from different generations.

“It will be a good match because it will show that the legends are doing things together to try help to develop football in Malawi.

“The teams will feature a mixture of generational legends and fans will surely enjoy watching these great names. They will love it,” he said.

Mtawali, who played for several South African top clubs such as Mamelodi

He also called on the corporate world to support the initiative.

“We want the families to come over and watch the legends in action. We will have many legends such as Fischer Kondowe, Joseph Kamwendo, Esau Kanyenda, Chancy Gondwe Lawrent Kamanga and many others.

“This is a rare opportunity for the young generation to come and appreciate the talent they only hear about. These legends are still among them and they are ready to give out their best. It will be be a great game that will rekindle memories of the good old days,” Mtawali said.

Football Legends Association (FLA) engaged Football Association of Malawi to facilitate the match through Football Association of Zambia.

FLA Board Chairperson Jim Kalua said preparations for the match are progressing well.

“We want to give football fans a rare treat during the festive period. The idea is to bring fans together as we rekindle sweet memories while giving the young ones a chance to watch big names of those great days,” Kalua said.

The two sides first met last year in a match Zambia won 2-1 at David Kaunda Stadium in Chipata. Malawi has legends such as Peterkins Kayira, Gilbert Chirwa, Austin Nyondo, Mabvuto Lungu and Young Chimodzi Senior.

These are some of the big names from the East and Central Africa Senior Challenge Cup-winning squad of 1988.

There will also be several faces from the team that qualified for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in Angola such as James Sangala, Joseph Kamwendo, Moses Chavula, Elvis Kafoteka and Jimmy Zakazaka.

Zambia are also expected to feature greats from the 2012 Afcon-winning squad, with names such as Christopher and Felix Katongo, and Given Sunguluma.