Flames Star Tonny Chitsulo laid to rest
THE body of former Silver Strikers and Flames star, Tonny Chitsulo, was laid to rest yesterday in Bangwe Township, Blantyre. He died on Friday at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre after a long illness.
Chitsulo launched his football career with Bangwe Madrid before proceeding to Silver Strikers and later, Be Forward Wanderers. One of his most outstanding achievements was winning the golden boot award in the 2009-2010 Super League season after scoring 18 goals.
Scores of players, officials and supporters thronged Bangwe Desert Cemetery to witness the burial of one of the country’s brightest football talents.
Be Forward Wanderers star, Peter Wadabwa, said he will remember Chitsulo as a hardworking player for both club and country.
“He joined Silver Strikers when I had just left for South Africa, but personally as a player I will remember his works and his contribution to the development of football in the country,” he said.
Premier Bet Wizards, Jeresi Lufeyo who was at Nyasa Big Bullets when Chitsulo was with the Bankers, said he will miss him as a personal friend. “We started our career
here in Bangwe at the same team and we played together until he went to Silver and I joined Bullets. He was a star and I do not even know how to express my sadness,” Lufeyo said.
Some of the notable faces at the ceremony included former Bullets team manager Rahim Ishmael, Bullets supporters chairperson, Stone Mwamadi, Football Association of Malawi youth development officer, James Sangala and others.
Chitsulo is survived by a wife and a daughter. At the peak of his career in the junior national teams, he represented Malawi at the World Under 17 Cup in Algeria after also starring in the African Under 17 Championship.
Some of his peers were Limbikani Mzava, Kondwani Lufeyo, Luka Milanzi, Mike Kaziputa, Patience Kalumo and Onani Nsengwa.
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