Terminate it like Chilapondwa: ‘ Bullets star pleased to be retiring as a champion’

Bullets and former Flames defending midfielder James Chilapondwa has retired from the game of football bring to an end a glittering career on the field as a champion.

Chilapondwa made a lap of honour of Bullets’ 2-0 victory over FISD Wizzards on Wednesday to acknowledge the fans that thronged the stadium, saying “now is the right time” to hang up the boots as a champions having helped his side to Malawi TNM Super League title.

“I have decided to retire from football because it is better to leave the stage at this point rather than being chased,” Chilapondwa said.

“I decided to bid my farewell because this is the my last game here in Blantyre and I will do the same at Civo Stadium in our last game should I be selected to play.”

He did not elaborate his next move after hanging up his boots but said Bullets’ final game against Civo United at Civo Stadium would draw the curtain on his career.

The decision for Chilapondwa to retire has come after Bullets Vice-General Secretary Kelvin Moyo posted his Facebook page asking who will replace the “terminator” as he was fondly called.

Moyo gave a hint that he would go for FISD Wizzards’ Levison Maganizo among others to take up the position.

The no-nonsense and hard tackling midfielder had a professional stint in Tanzania playing for the top league giants Young Africans. His return to Bullets was plagued by injuries but still played a critical role in the team’s defence of the title.

Chilapondwa made his impact while playing for Gola United sponsored by former Football Association of Malawi president late John Zingale. He was poached by Bullets to serve for the team that Zingale once served as its Treasurer.

In a related development former Mighty Be Forward Wanderers James Sangala also announced to retire from football.

Sangala, who is currently working as Youth Development Officer at FAM, has decided to while playing for Azam Tigers.

He joined Tigers in 2014 after coming out of retirement. He has played professional in South Africa at Benoni United, Thanda Zulu Royal before switching to Angola’s Premiera do Agosto and then Benfica Luanda.