THE country’s soccer fraternity woke up to the sad news of the passing on of Be Forward Wanderers Chairman, George Chamangwana, on Friday morning at Blantyre Adventist Hospital.
The Lali Lubani Road boys were preparing to meet sworn rivals, Nyasa Big Bullets at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe. That TNM Super League match would have been played today before an enthusiastic crowd donning blue, white and orange against the other in red and white.
But sadly, what would have been an afternoon of euphoria has been replaced by deep grief as George, a true nomad with blue blood, will be walking his last mile this afternoon. His body will be laid to rest at Misesa Cemetery in Blantyre along the Mulanje-Thyolo Road.
Super League of Malawi (Sulom) was quick to announce the postponement of the big match as a mark of respect for the departed soul of George. Bullets were also prompt in conveying condolences to their rival camp in a rare show of solidarity.
General Secretary for the People’s Team, Albert Chigoga, said Sulom made the right decision to postpone the crunch tie as it would have been inhuman to proceed with the match under the circumstances.
Nomad to the bone George was certainly not a big name in the game as he played under the shadow of his legendary elder brother, Jack, who is regarded as one of the best defenders to have come out of Malawi and was a force to reckon with on the continent.
Jack says George started his playing career at Wanderers Youth in the early 1980s and earned promotion to the main team a few years later. While turning out for the Lali Lubani Road side, George was good enough to earn some call ups to the national team, but did not make the grade in the star-studded lineup that had classic names with continental repute.
“I can confirm to you that my brother George had never played for any other team apart from Wanderers. He loved Wanderers with all his heart and the thought of leaving for another team never crossed his True nomad walks last mile mind,” Chamangwana said. Speaking along the same lines is another legend, Peterkins Kayira.
He says George was a junior player at Wanderers when he (Kayira) played there. “He was among the generation that took over from us when we left the team. But everything about him was Wanderers. From what I know, he is the only player to have stuck with the team from birth to death,” Kayira said.
He says it was interesting to see George making the transition from being a player to being an ordinary supporter on the terraces.
Kayira says it was sheer passion for the game that enabled the fallen Nomads boss to take up various administrative and technical roles at the team of his heart.
“Maybe some of us can pull a leaf from George’s life. We should learn to stick with what we believe in, no matter the circumstances. Even in his death, George teaches us to love without conditions. That is why he has died as chairman for a team he chose to serve for life,” Kayira explained.
He recalls playing against George and describes him as one of Wanderers’ best overlapping defenders who had great crosses to complement his abilities. Down to earth and humble George was born a reserved character- a man of a few words. He would only speak when it mattered. Long time Bullets and national team supporters chairman, Raphael Nasimba, remembers George in his playing days as a disciplined and humble player.
“I never saw him quarrel with referees and his opponents. He just did what he had to do. Of course he played for our rivals but I was in love with his general conduct on and off the pitch. I wish some of these players were like him,” Nasimba said.
Sulom treasurer, Tiya Somba Banda, says George was a fountain of wisdom and used to make meaningful contributions to the Super League governing body. “We used to consult him where we needed help. As an administrator, we found it easy to interact with him on matters to do with his team. He could never be faulted on anything to do with the game,” Somba Banda said.
Saviour during tough times Wanderers’ board of trustees chairman, Rashid Gaffar, says George played a very crucial role to keep the team going after Malawi Telecommunications Limited had pulled out sponsorship. Gaffar says George used to finance the team’s operations from his pocket and never claimed anything.
“While some of us may claim to have been helping the team in tough times, George did so much more. He used to carry the team on his shoulders without blowing the trumpet. We will miss him big time,” Gaffar remarked. Personal life George has died aged 48 and is survived by two children. He hailed from Mlanda in Ntcheu District.
He was a successful businessman in Blantyre and used to run a company called Safari Freight. And as his remains are being interred, he leaves a gap difficult to fill at Lali Lubani Road. He leaves behind a legacy of his own having served Wanderers in all capacities from being a player, a supporter, a member of the technical panel and, ultimately, chairman. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
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