Former Polokwane City striker Kanyenda dies

Former South Africa’s Polokwane City’s Malawian striker Esau Kanyenda died in the United Kingdom on Tuesday. He passed away aged 43 a day after revealing that he was suffering from liver cancer.

Multiple news sources in Malawi, including Times and Zodiak online platforms, quoted the former Flames legend’s brother Christopher Kanyenda as confirming the death.

The former Dwasco United and Mighty Wanderers forward is said to have died at his UK home at 10 am on Tuesday.

On Monday, the former Premier Soccer League (PSL) star earned an outpouring of sympathy and goodwill after disclosing his health status.

“Hello everyone!! Just to let you know that I’m diagnosed with liver cancer here in the UK. I’m fighting for this. Need your prayers,” Kanyenda wrote on his Facebook page.

Little did many realise that it was a goodbye from the hard working forward who led Malawi to the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola for the first time in 26 years.

Esau Kanyenda’s football journey

Kanyenda made a big name in the South Africa football circles after signing for then PSL’s top-flight side Jomo Cosmos FC in 2001 from DWASCO FC. He had impressed back home in Malawi with the under-20 national team.

The former Russia’s Lokomotiv Moscow FC’s forward turned into a big hit for Cosmos who now campaign in the third tier of South Africa football league.

#Times360Malawi
Katswiri wakale watimu ya Flames, Esau Kanyenda wamwalira.

Mchimwene wake wa mkulu Christopher Kanyenda watsimikiza izi, ndipo wati Esau wamwalira ku nyumba yake ku UK lero. pic.twitter.com/rYngB7oOHl

— Times 360 Malawi (@Times360Malawi) December 2, 2025

The Flames star scored in four consecutive games, helping Cosmos to win Coca-Cola Cup, emerged as the top scorer and player of the tournament in the 2001-2002 season.

Kanyenda scored in seven consecutive league games to eventually finish the 2002 season as the second highest league scorer with 18 goals, one behind Golden Boot Award winner, Lesley Manyathela [deceased].

The Malawian registered 26 goals in 46 appearances for Cosmos before signing for Russian Premier League outfit Rostov in 2003. He played for other Russian clubs, including Lokomotiv Moscow.

After returning to South Africa, Kanyenda found a new home at the then National First Division side, Polokwane City.

Anthu ambiri ayamba kutumiza mauthenga a chikhumbo chabwino kwa Esau Kanyenda, yemwe walengeza kuti wagonekedwa m’chipatala ku UK chifukwa cha matenda a khansa ya chiwindi.

Tikumuikira m’manja mwa Ambuye ndipo tikumupemphera kuchira msanga 🙏 pic.twitter.com/QCgtFjLIIj

— TREND RUSH 265 (@TRENDRUSH265) December 1, 2025

He proved to be an inspired buy as he finished his debut season as the top scorer and won the player of the year award, as City earned PSL promotion in 2013. The Malawian spent five seasons with Rise and Shine before returning home to join Wanderers.