Ex-Malawi goalkeeper trainer Chunga dead
Former Malawi National Football Team goalkeeper trainer, McHodges Chunga, died Wednesday afternoon at Zomba Central Hospital after a long illness.
Brother to the deceased Wycliffe Sam confirmed that McHodges died around 4 pm following his admission on January 22, 2014.
His remains are expected to be interred on Friday at his home village Vilapo Visambo in Traditional Authority Kalumo in Ntchisi district.
He died while coaching Southern Region Football League Premier Division side Prison United of Zomba.
McHodges also served as team manager for Red Lions and Mighty Wanderers and coach for the Zomba-based military team, Cobbe Barracks.
He was the goalkeeper trainer for the Flames during the Angola 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.
The down-to-earth man will be remembered for his contribution to football having groomed a lot of top-class players such as Dave Banda and Malumbo Mkandawire while at Cobbe Barracks and then Red Lions.
He also had a stint at South Africa’s top league side (PSL) Free State Stars where he worked as goalkeeper trainer under compatriot Kinnah Phiri.
Survived by five children and a wife, MacHodges also served as Southern Region Football League treasurer.
Meanwhile, the soccer fraternity has expressed shock at the death of the sturdy football personality.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) Commercial Manager, Casper Jangale, said it was painful to lose such football personality.
“Saddened by the death of former Malawi goalkeeper trainer MacHodges Chunga aka Artillery, Munthu wa Mkulu. You will be greatly missed. May your soul rest in peace,” stated Jangale on his Facebook post.
Wanderers General Secretary, David Kanyenda, described the death as disturbing to the club as it has come barely a day after the attack of the team’s Chairman, George Chamangwana, Tuesday night.
“Even more sad news…ex-Nomads team manager McHodges Chunga has passed on today,” Kanyenda wrote on Facebook post Wednesday evening.
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