Ex-Bullets chair Jussab mourned
The football fraternity is mourning for former Nyasa Big Bullets chairperson Hassam Jussab who died on Thursday at Blantyre Adventist Hospital after an illness.
He was laid to rest last evening at Kanjedza Cemetery in Blantyre.
His brother, Joe, confirmed his death on Thursday, saying they had lost a pillar.
“I am at a loss for words, he was our source of inspiration,” he said.
Jussab, 58, was hailed as one of the best club administrators and is remembered for winning four successive Super League titles during his tenure from 2000 to 2004.
He was also at the helm when the People’s Team reached the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League in 2004.
Jussab also played a pivotal role in arranging Bullets’ trip to the United Kingdom in 2002 for camping and friendly matches when former president Bakili Muluzi was the club’s sponsor.
Bullets chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda said the club has lost a legendary figure.
He said: “It will be difficult to forget Mr. Jussab for his selflessness, determination, commitment and his sacrifice while serving the People’s Team.
“Mr. Jussab lived a good life and ran a good race. He will always be missed and may his soul rest in eternal peace.”
In a statement released on Thursday, the People’s Team said they had learnt of Jussab’s passing with great shock and sadness.
Reads the statement in part: “The Nyasa Big Bullets board of directors, management, players [both former and current], technical staff, partners and supporters are deeply saddened with the death of the club’s former chairperson Hassam Jussab, who served as chairperson from 2000 to 2004 during which time the club won the league for four consecutive seasons and also qualified for quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League.
“While death has successfully robbed us of the life of Mr. Jussab, the memories he created for his leadership are engraved deep in the hearts of multitudes of football lovers, particularly Nyasa Big Bullets faithful. His legacy lives.”
Former Bullets captain Peter Mponda described Jussab as a selfless and humble person who had great passion for the team.
He said: “He treated all the players equally and was always there in times of need.
“I remember there was a time when he used to co-sponsor the team when sponsorship from Bata Shoe Company was not enough to run the operations of the club.
“He will forever be remembered and may his soul rest in eternal peace. “
Mighty Wanderers board secretary Humphrey Mvula described Jussab’s death as a big blow to football.
He said: “He was among the crop of administrators who changed the football landscape in as far as prioritising the welfare of players was concerned. He would do anything to ensure that the players were happy.
“I remember that I was chairperson for Wanderers when he was at the helm of Bullets and these were exciting times.
“Until his death, he was a businessperson, who among other entities, run Kuku Match Company.
