Malawi National Football Team legendary striker, late Esau ‘Black Mamba’ Kanyenda, who recently succumbed to liver cancer in the United Kingdom (UK), will be buried only after the coroners finalise their inquest into the death and his death certificate is issued, the family has said.
The Kanyenda family’s spokesperson Peter Makossah has announced that the UK authorities, through the coroner’s office, are still doing autopsy examination and medical records review.
“The (Kanyenda) family would like to inform the public that the date for burial for the late legendary forward will be announced once the authorities have finalised their after-death examination and when all that is complete, they will issue a death certificate and it is at that point that the burial will take place,” explained Makossah.
Makossah said as many people are asking as to when the burial will take place and where exactly in the UK, it feels necessary to inform the public and in the same vein, the family would like to ask for patience.
He said: “The family is grateful for the continued support they are receiving from people from all walks of life across the world in this trying moment.”
Meanwhile, the family has announced that all official engagements and matters regarding the late Esau Kanyenda will now officially be handled the country’s football governing body, The Football Association of Malawi (FAM).
“The Kanyenda family is very grateful to FAM President Fleetwood Haiya and the secretariat for the support from the day the former Flames forward died in the UK, accepting to take full charge, and we felt that they the right people and organisation to handle, coordinate and manage any matters pertaining to the late Esau Kanyenda,” said Makossah.
Therefore, Makossah said, all organisations and individuals willing to financially or materially support the family towards Esau Kanyenda’s burial and celebration of life ceremony, whose date is yet to be announced, should channel such help to FAM.
Alternatively, organisations and individuals can also support the family through these bank details: The Esau Kanyenda Condolence Fund, FDH Bank, Account number: 13901000071726, Gateway Mall Branch in Lilongwe.
The family has extended vote of thanks to President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and Madam Gertrude Mutharika for taking a lead, the Chief Secretary to the Government, Justin Saidi, former president Dr. Bakili Muluzi, the government of Malawi, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Speaker of Parliament, Sameer Suleman and all Members of Parliament, Thomas Bisika, the Malawi High Commissioner to London, Mighty Wanderers patron, Thom Mpinganjira and the entire Wanderers Club family, Malawi Football Legends Association.
Further, the family extends its gratitude to all Malawians for holding the family’s hands with love in their darkest and hardest time.
