Dave Mpesi dies after road accident in Rumphi

Coach Dave Mpesi, the Banyamulenge mastermind, died on Wednesday at Mzuzu Central Hospital where he was referred to following a car accident in Rumphi, his Chikhwawa United confirmed.

Chikhwawa United chairperson Owen Chomanika said Mpesi was travelling from Rumphi to Mzuzu on duty when he was killed in the morning after sustaining head injuries.

“I got a call from a passer-by in Rumphi who found his mobile phone after the accident. I am actually in transit to the training ground to stop the team’s training session. It is so sad,” Chomanika explained from Chikhwawa.

Bullets general secretary Higger Mkandawire said: “Bullets family is saddened by his death. He sacrificed his all to Bullets. He never put money first.”

FAM executive member David Dube worked with Mpesi for over 15 years and echoed Bullets’ remarks that the former Yamaha Wanderers midfielder was a great football asset.

“Most Flames players who made the 2010 Nations Cup squad passed through his hands. He was instrumental when we had strong youth policy. I will miss him. I hear he was on duty travelling with two Malawi Revenue Authority guys and he sustained head injuries,” said the former FAM treasurer Dube.

Mpesi coached teams such as Blue Eagles, Civo United, Silver Strikers, Bata Bullets and Mighty Wanderers. None of the deceased’s achievement matches his Bata Bullets Youth Team (Banyamulenge) exploits in late 1990s.

Mpesi, a father of six, was believed to be 57 and came from Mazale Village, T/A Kapeni, Blantyre.

Flames captain Peter Mponda ranks him as the best coach to have handled him.