We lost a gem in Tony Chitsulo – Malawi’s FA cries out loud

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) General Secretary Suzgo Nyirenda has advised Flames Under-17 to be disciplined if they are to continue their rise, saying they should learn from the case of former Junior Flames striker Tony Chitsulo.

Speaking at Mpira Village in Chiwembe during the welcoming ceremony of the Malawi Under-17 National Football team from Mauritius where they took part in the Cosafa Under-17 championship and came out third, Nyirenda said Malawian football lost a gem in Chitsulo.

Chitsulo, former Silver Strikers and Flames Under 17 forward made headlines during his playing days with the Central Bankers and the Junior team but his failure to control himself outside the field of play cost him dearly.

He became popular for performances with the Junior Flames from 2007 to 2009 however his football career was short-lived due to indiscipline outside the field of play.

Thus the Malawi FA General Secretary advised the young boys to maintain discipline outside the field of play saying for one to reach greater heights, discipline is always paramount.

“We had a gem in Tony Chitsulo but he is nowhere to be seen. As a country, we lost a star. My advice to these young players is that they should maintain discipline off the field of play.

“Without discipline, forget about prospering. We need these boys to come out good but that will depend on how they control themselves outside the field of play. When I think of Tony, I nearly shed tears, he was a star in the game,” said Nyirenda.

Chitsulo’s career came to an end when he snubbed his first senior national call up during Kinnah Phiri’s reign.

A week later, the player was arrested by Police in Bangwe after being involved in a fight at a night club within the area.

From there, he went from hero to zero when he was at the centre of a transfer saga between Mighty Wanderers and his parent club Silver Strikers before vanishing into thin air.