Memories of Lawrence ‘lule’ Waya
Malawi’s prolific forward, Lawrence Waya, displaying his Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) in recognition of his exemplary service to Club and Country in the 1980s.
Came into limelight, the then young inside-left and second striker alongside the legendary Kinah Phiri, playing for Bata Bullets during the 1982 East and Central Africa Club championships in Kisumu.
While local fans only knew his elder sibling, Harry “Barbed” Waya (who featured prominently in the right wing back position in the same game), he made an immediate impression in the first game against defending champions, Gor Mahia, scoring direct from a corner-kick early in the game, and thereafter breaking through during a counter-attack and unleashing a powerful thunderbolt that had goalkeeper, Dan Odhiambo making a spectacular mid-air diving save, but resulted in an elbow injury that led to an enforced replacement at half-time.
Then in 1987 he was back-this time as the star player in the exciting Malawi Flames side that wowed crowds at the 4th All-Africa Games in Nairobi where he did not disappoint, leading the talent-laden attack with sublime touches of jaw-dropping football skills that had the crowd on their feet throughout.
Especially against eventual winners, Egypt (which they came from behind and won 2-1); and the memorable semi-final against the Harambee Stars that was called off due to floodlights failure. Waya was delightful on that night, terrorizing the Kenyan defenders with every touch of the ball.
Lule had an amazing superbly chest ball control, quick turns , and back-flicks that left markers stranded in the centre of the pitch. No wonder he was later nicknamed “Lule”.(Unknown to many, and perhaps his Malawian admirers, one Nashon Oluoch “Lule” -of Gor Mahia-had mesmerized local fans with dribbling wizardry during the 1980 East and Central Africa Club tournament in Blantyre, Malawi).
Waya’s goal in the third place play-off against Cameron-timing, a long goal kick from keeper, John Dzimbiri and releasing an outrageous long-range shot from the centre of the pitch, before the ball hit the ground, and which caught star keeper, Jacques Songoo off his line- was a mark of genius, pure class!
Deservedly, the Flames won, 3-1 to clinch the bronze medal.
