Maganga, The Flames Goalkeeper Dies

If one asks about the background of a fantastic goalkeeper for Mighty Wanderers and the National team, who had catlike reflexes in the late 1960s the name Boniface Maganga comes in limelight.

The versatile goalkeeping custodian featured for Malawi Correspondence College in Mzuzu, an institution that evolved into a Community Secondary School years later.  

Way back in 1974 when Brazilian coach Wonder Moreira became national football coach he found a number of goalkeepers like Boniface Maganga, Dennis Saidi and ageing Henry Kapalamula.

In 1975, Saidi and Maganga stood out such that at Malawi’s maiden appearance in the East and Central Africa Senior Challenge Cup that Zambia hosted, Maganga was in goal for Malawi. Our team was brilliant in Zambia that year.

After getting rid of chaff, the lads eliminated the Uganda Cranes in the semis only to lose to Kenya on post match penalty shootout. What was more painful was that Kenya equalized through Charles Ochieng with 30seconds left of the match in extra time as Malawi led 2-1.

Fast forward to 1979 when Kenya hosted the competition. And that is where Boniface Maganga, assumed his legendary status.

In the semis, Malawi and Tanzania drew initially forcing a replay. In the encore which was drawn again, the two teams were separated by penalty shootout in which Maganga gained a hero status by saving two of the kicks.

Come the Grand final against hosts Kenya, the side which caused Malawi agony in Zambia 4yrs earlier, Malawi repaid the debt in kind.

Trailing 1-2 late in the match, Malawi equalized at the death of regulation time and proceeded to inflict an unforgettable defeat on Kenya with a 3rd goal in extra time.

At last Maganga and Company got their sweet revenge against Kenya.

Our Hero is Gone in Flesh but remains with us in Spirit. That’s where he’ll be FOREVER