President Peter Mutharika on Tuesday paid homage to the country’s fallen football legend Jack ‘Africa’ Chamangwana.
The grief-stricken President, who ordered that the former Flames captain be accorded “all the respect he deserves” arrived at the late Chamangwana’s residence in Nyambadwe, Blantyre around 10am and stayed for over 30 minutes alongside Vice-President Saulosi Chilima.
Upon his arrival, Mutharika, wearing a black suit, a white shirt and sunglasses, went straight into the house, where Chamangwana’s body lay in state, to pay his last respects before the family briefed him on how the former Kaizer Chiefs defender died on Sunday evening.
The President did not make any speech a representative of Chamangwana’s family, Samuel Kaphuka, asked government to consider improving the welfare of former football players.
He also requested the government to assist Chamangwana’s ailing widow undergo for medical treatment.
“As a family, we thank you for paying homage to our brother and we do not take this for granted,” Kaphuka said.
Chamangwana died on Sunday evening at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre after an illness.
He is survived by a wife and three sons.
At the time of his death, Chamangwana, who has spent over 40 years in football as a player and a coach, was Be Forward Wanderers technical director.
