President Mutharika Mourns Football Legend Esau “Black Mamba” Kanyenda
Published on December 3, 2025 at 8:55 AM by Edgar Naitha
President Peter Mutharika has conveyed his condolences to the family of the late Esau “Black Mamba” Kanyenda, who died on Tuesday after battling liver cancer.
In a statement issued yesterday, the President said he was deeply saddened by Kanyenda’s passing, noting that Malawi has lost a sporting treasure.
“The First Lady and I are saddened by the death of one of the country’s football legends, Esau Kanyenda, who died in the United Kingdom on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025,” the statement read.
He added that “death has robbed us of a true son of the soil who invested all his energy in hoisting the Malawi flag across the African continent and in Europe, where he starred for the Russian football club, Rostov.”
The statement further highlighted Kanyenda’s dedication, noting that “even after retiring from active football, Kanyenda continued to provide counsel to local football administrators, demonstrating his enduring commitment to the growth of the game in our country.”
The family has not yet announced funeral arrangements.
