Legendary Malawi soccer administrator Kapenuka dead

Hastings Kapenuka, a man who embodied everything good about Malawi football, died Tuesday afternoon at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital after a short illness.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) chief executive officer Sugzo Nyirenda confirmed the news.

“I got the message this afternoon. It is a big blow to us as FAM. He was a father-figure of Malawi football,” he said.

Kapenuka leaves behind a solid legacy, having served in most positions that matter in domestic football. His career dates back to the 1980s when he was a defender at Admarc Tigers.

Later, he became Nacet Gillet Super League winning team manager, founding member and president of the Super League Association of Malawi (now Super League of Malawi), FAM executive member.

He was until 2010, Southern Region Football League chairperson.

Fellow administrator at Wanderers and Sulom, Henry Chibowa, said the deceased deserved to be accorded a decent funeral befitting his huge contribution to the game.

“We are heart-broken. He demonstrated maturity in football administration,” Chibowa said.