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PIRATES MOURN EX-PRESIDENT NDALLAHWA

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MBABANE – The cruel hands of death have struck the Moneni Pirates family.

This follows confirmation yesterday that the team’s former President and Elder Joseph Ndallahwa has passed away. Reports gathered are to the effect that the Malawian-born Pirates’ staunch follower passed away after failing to come out of theatre alive following an operation in Johannesburg, South Africa three days ago. The sad news was confirmed yesterday by Pirates Manager/PRO Mlungisi ‘Puma’ Simelane, who said they were deeply shattered as a team. “He was an asset to the team and his contribution over the years was unmatched.

Loved

He loved Moneni Pirates with a passion and played a pivotal role in our success over the years. He served in the team’s administrative structures as he was once president in the 1980s and also assumed the position of chairman to the board of directors. We are deeply saddened by his death and we have lost a Pirates legend in him,” Simelane said in a sombre tone. He was scanty with funeral details of Ndallahwa, who worked as Consular to Tanzania in the country and stayed at Ngwane Park before his untimely death. “The little information I gathered is that arrangements are being made to take his body to Tanzania for his burial,” Simelane added. Ndallahwa worked with renowned local football administrators including the likes of Desmond Oswin, Mathokoza Mthethwa and John Maziya.

Oswin was contacted on the sad news and the Esibayeni Lodge boss was short of words to describe how he felt. “He was a great man and had a caring heart for Moneni Pirates. He was passionate about football as a whole and we worked with him in the team’s administrative structures before he retired to be part of the Elders. Nothing would divorce this man from Moneni Pirates because the team meant a lot to him. May his soul rest in peace,” Oswin said.

Tribute

Meanwhile, the team’s former goalkeeper, Christopher ‘Tototo’ Khoza, paid glowing tribute to the late Ndallahwa. “He was like a father to all of us when we were still playing because he made sure that we were happy to play for the team. He was involved in the management structures and was the president twice in the team. He led us to the CAF Cup game in Kenya and was part of the administrative structures when we won a number of trophies in the past years. His name will always be remembered at Pirates because he is a legend. We pray that God comforts his family and friends during this sad time of grieving,” the former Sihlangu number one shot-stopper said.

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