Football Association of Malawi (FAM) first vice-president Moses Mkandawire has said Flames striker Atusaye Nyondo is no longer son to Zuza Nyondo, but he is the property of the Malawi Government.
Mkandawire made the remarks on Tuesday at Chibavi ground in Mzuzu when the SuperSport FC striker handed over 26 pairs of football boots, four balls and 14 sets of uniforms to Katoto and Chibavi primary schools.
Atusaye was voted South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) Player-of-the-Month for August 2011 and received cash and football equipment to be donated to schools of his choice in Malawi and he opted for his former schools, Katoto and Chibavi.
“We just have to thank Mr. Zuza Nyondo for having a child in the name of Atusaye, but Atusaye is no longer his son. He is now Malawi’s ambassador to South Africa on football issues and should anything happen to him, it will be the two governments discussing,†he added.
Mkandawire thanked Atusaye for displaying good football skills, saying it is not easy to achieve such a feat in a foreign land. He then appealed to the player to continue behaving well, saying winning accolades follows good behaviour.
He asked Isaac Sichali of Chibavi Primary School and others to emulate Atusaye’s example by combining education and football if they are to contribute effectively to the country’s development.
Sichali is the player Nyondo and other football authorities chose as man-of-the-match in a game between Chibavi and Katoto played at the event. Chibavi beat Katoto 2-0.
Atusaye rewarded Sichali with a football boot for his outstanding performance. A goal each from Blessings Chimenya and Blessings Chirwa earned Chibavi the victory.
Speaking earlier, Zuza Nyondo thanked all football administrators that have helped his son succeed, saying without them, Atusaye would be loitering in the streets without a future.
