Fifa president Gianni Infantino has sent condolences to Malawi’s football fraternity following the death of  24 players and supporters of Nyungwe United Football Club in Karonga on Saturday night.

The accident occured  at Tenende in Karonga District as the team and its supporters returned from  from a  Moto Northern Region Division One match against Chitipa Hammers in Chitipa.

In a statement, Infantino said the world football governing body was saddened by the accident.

The statement reads in part: “I extend my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the road accident involving members of Nyungwe United Football Club.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the people who lost their lives, those who have been injured in this tragic accident and the staff at the Football Association of Malawi at this difficult time.”

Meanwhile, flags at the Fifa headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, were yesterday lowered to half-mast in memory of those who lost their lives in the accident.

Infantino: My thoughts and prayers are with the people who lost their lives

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu, who attended a mass funeral service of the victims at Nyungwe in Karonga on Monday, said he was touched by Fifa’s gesture.

He said: “We are touched with the gesture that has been demonstrated by Fifa to send such kind sentiments and lower its flags for the sake of the victims of Nyungwe Community in Karonga. It shows that football is one big family and that Fifa is mourning with us.

“We are in deep shock with the tragedy that has befallen us. We share the pain and agony that the community of Nyungwe is going through.

“We understand that the healing process will be hard for the affected families that have lost their loved ones and suffered fatal injuries.

“The tragedy has caused untold suffering and inflicted a traumatic experience that will linger in our memories forever. May the souls of our departed brothers and sisters rest in eternal peace.”

President Lazarus Chakwera led the nation in mourning with the bereaved families through a statement issued on Sunday.

Minister of Sports Uchizi Mkandawire, who also attended the funeral, also condoled the bereaved families.

“The loss is huge and our hearts are with the families and the entire Northern Region Football Association in this trying moment,” he said.

Malawi National Council of Sports has called upon sporting disciplines to observe a minute of silence before kick-off of all sports activities set for this weekend.

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