Women’s football player mourned

Topik women’s football team budding striker Esther Mwase, 17, died of malaria on Friday at Nkhata Bay District Hospital.

In an interview yesterday, Topik coach Levie Mhone said the deceased joined the team in 2019 from Chihame FC of Nkhata Bay.

He said: “This is a big blow to the team because Esther was a talented player. She combined well with national team striker Asimenye Simwaka and took responsibility when Asimenye went for national team service.”

Mhone said they were hoping to serve the team after the postponement of 2020 season due to Covid-19 pandemic.

On her part, National Women’s Football Association chairperson Suzgo Ngwira described the Under-17 national team player’s death as shocking.

“Women’s football fraternity has lost an up-and-coming player. National Women’s Football Association is mourning together with Topik Sisters Football Club. May God be with the family in this time of loss,” she said.

Mwase was part of the Under-17 national team for the Cosafa tournament in Mauritius but it was postponed due to Covid-19 pandemic.

Her body was expected to be laid to rest yesterday in Nkhata Bay at press time.