South African football icon Jomo Sono says they are unmatched in the history books of unearthing African strikers, as he paid tribute to the late Esau Kanyenda.
The Malawi legend was laid to rest after suddenly passing away last week at the age of 43, just a day after confirming he was undergoing treatment for liver cancer.
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‘Black Mamba’ will be fondly remembered for his time in the Premier Soccer League, where he first emerged under Sono at Jomo Cosmos before an incredible spell in Russia, where he reached the pinnacle of European club football, playing in the Champions League.
“When it comes to strikers, nobody can match us in Africa – I was telling my players, they amount of strikers we produced, Esau Kanyenda, Philemon Masinga, Pitso Mosimane, Russell Mwafulirwa, the big machine from Ivory Coast, Andre Kona, Chris Katongo, Anthony Laffor, Mark Williams, Eric September, Tico-Tico,” he told iDiski Times.
“These are some of the best strikers this country has ever seen, but may his soul rest in peace, unfortunately he’s too far, he is buried in England you know – but his family must always know that we’re keeping them in our hearts and we will remember all he did in South Africa and all he did in Russia, he was sensational, played Champions League.
“I’m so proud of what he achieved, he came here as a nobody – and he became so big, like Benjani, he arrived here as a nobody and he ended up playing for Manchester City, French Cup finals, scoring the winning goal…”
Sono recalled how he discovered the prolific goalscorer, who eventually was sold in a lucrative move to FC Rostov, while he also represented Lokomotiv Moscow.
“I went to see Malawi play in Malawi, and I saw him, and another guy Clifton Msiya, who I think he was the best left footed player in that era, he was unbelievable, unreal, he was like Messi, but big, strong, and powerful, amazing how time flies,” he said.
“But you will never forget these players as time goes on… [Esau] was one of the hardest working strikers I have ever seen, defenders never had time to relax, he was always harassing defence and he was very good in the air, very good. Some of the goals he scored was unbelievable.”
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