Legendary former Flames forward Kinnah Phiri has said the Malawi National Football Team retained the 1979 East and Central Africa Senior Challenge Cup in Kenya mostly because of goalkeeper Boniface Maganga’s heroics.

The all-time Flames leading goal-scorer was paying tribute to the celebrated former Mighty Mukuru Wanderers goalkeeper who died on Sunday at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre at the age of 67 after a long illness.

Both Kinnah and Maganga were part of the historic squad that won the regional showpiece in 1978 on home soil before retaining it the following year.

He said: “I will remember Boniface for a lot of things. As a person, he was always cheerful and kind.

To be laid to rest today: Maganga

“But over and above that, I will remember him for his heroics at the Cecafa  [Confederation of East and Central Africa Football Associations] Challenge Cup in 1979 in Kenya, especially during our semi-final  match against Tanzania in Mombasa.

“We drew the first match one-all and we had the replay the following day which ended goalless in regulation time and it had to be decided through penalties. 

“ Boniface saved three penalties and inspired us to the final in which we played Kenya and we won 3-2. In the final, he was also outstanding and was named man-of-the-match.  The home fans were left stunned with his spectacular saves.

“He was one of the best goalkeepers this country has ever produced.”

The former Flames coach said when Maganga was in hospital, he went to cheer him up twice.

“I also informed the former minister [of Youth and Sports] Richard Chimwendo-Banda, who also went to see him. “

Wanderers board secretary Chancy Gondwe said they were devastated to learn of Maganga’s death.

He said: “We have lost our pillar, a passionate supporter of Wanderers, a legend at Lali Lubani Road and a walking library of Wanderers history.

“The entire Wanderers family mourns  together with the bereaved family. He shall be greatly missed.”

On his part, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu said: “We’ll fondly remember Boniface Maganga as one of the best goalkeepers Malawi has ever produced. He is one of the legends that brought honour and glory to Malawi by winning the East and Central Africa Challenge Cup back-to-back in 1978 and 1979.

“He has left a legacy that most goalkeepers have failed to surpass locally.

“My memory is still  fresh of his heroics that earned us famous victories at Kamuzu Stadium.”

 Meanwhile, Maganga’s last-born son James yesterday said his father will be laid to rest at Misesa Cemetery in Blantyre this afternoon.

“As at now, mourners are gathered at Chigumula, then at 10am tomorrow [today], Wanderers FC and FAM have made arrangements that the body should be taken for public viewing at Kamuzu Stadium at around 1pm, we’ll tafter that we will proceed to the cemetery for burial,” he said.

The post Maganga won us the ’79 Cecafa Challenge Cup—Kinnah first appeared on The Nation Online.