The name Yasin Osman conjures up with everything Malawian football in every facet, and every sense.
His life was a long devotion to the game from its beginnings seven decades and five scores ago to the end, on Monday this week, many a Malawian loved him so much that they are now united in grief.
Beginning at just 15 years old, Yasin Osman, whose passion and dedication to the sport has shaped generations and elevated football in Malawi.
Yasin Osman is colossally a national icon and treasure such that his name will forever be etched on people’s minds for generations to come and a gift that will never be forgotten.
His extraordinary legacy will forever inspire the Malawian football enthusiasts and aficionados to champion the development of sports with the same unwavering devotion that this great son of the soil demonstrated in his disposition.
Known as Tich by his contemporaries, Yasin Osman, is one Malawi’s great football loyalty transitioned to eternity at Adventist Hospital in Malawi’s commercial city in Blantyre on Monday, has had been interred to earth, six feet down, at Bawi in Ntcheu District in central Malawi — attended by thousands of notable names in society led by Mighty Wanderers FC president, Thom Mpinganjira.
Osman, who was part of the national team’s first-ever international title in 1978 and ‘79 in winning the East and Central Africa Senior Challenge Cup, was until his death a technical director of Mighty Wanderers FC — the team he played for and became part of its technical team.
He has also been a national team coach for the Malawi national team and over the years has held several positions in Malawi national team football including that of a technical director — his services to Malawi’s football on and off the itch are exceptionally incredible and immensely significant.
Multitudes of people saying goodbye to Yasin Osman’s last mile to scoring a final goal included among many others, officials from Football Association of Malawi (FAM) — where Yasin once served as general secretary — as well as from Malawi National Council of Sports as the country’s mother sports’ governing body and football lovers from all walks of life.
The remains of Yasin Osman, who was nick named Njinga in his hey days due to his speed on the pitch, arrived at Bawi, which is along the M1 Road between Blantyre and Lilongwe at 11:10hrs prompt escorted along the way in a convoy of cars from several different club officials, players, supporters, family and relatives.
Upon arrival at home, body viewing took place before being taken a few kilometres away for the burial where eulogies were made by Osman’s family representatives, Wanderers FC, FAM, Sports Council.
In a statement just after news of Yasin’s passing on, Sports Council took cognizance that Yasin’s life was a “long devotion to the sport, beginning at just 15 years old, that shaped generations and elevated football in Malawi”.
“May his extraordinary legacy inspire us all to champion the development of sports with the same unwavering commitment and heart he exemplified,” said the statement.
Befitting tributes
Wanderers’ president and board chairperson Thomson Mpinganjira was at pains to come to terms with Osman’s death in an interview on Monday.
With his voice straining with emotion, the business mogul and philanthropist, said: “It’s sad, very sad…It’s a huge loss to the Wanderers family.
“A very calm and cheerful person with great and pleasant personality. We will greatly miss him.”
A statement released by Wanderers Football Club, said: “Mr Osman was a dedicated and passionate member of our technical team whose contributions were invaluable. His commitment, professionalism and love for the game left a lasting impact on the team and the entire Wanderers family.”
Bullets acting chief executive officer Albert Chigoga said they were equally shocked with Osman’s death saying: “We are all devastated to hear the passing of Yasin. A legendary footballer and administrator, who also played for Bullets.
“Just over the weekend, we saw ‘Titch’ on duty as Wanderers TD. May his soul rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family and our friends Wanderers during this painful period.
“It’s a big loss to the football fraternity,” mourned Chigoga.
Flames legends ‘Senator’ Kennedy Malunga, who played under Osman at Wanderers, Kinnah ‘Electric’ Phiri and Ernest ‘Wire’ Mtawali also paid tributes to the departed legend.
Malunga, who became the first Malawian to play professional football in Europe when he signed for Belgian top side Cercle Brugge, said: “We have lost a true legend of the game. He contributed a lot to the development of football in Malawi in general and to my career.
“He is the one who shaped my career when he promoted me from Wanderers Youth to the senior team. I am so saddened.
“May his soul rest in heavenly peace and may the good Lord be with family during this time.”
On his part, Mtawali said: “Oh my God! We all looked up to ‘Titch’ as our mentor. He was a father figure who taught us a lot in football.”
On the other hand, Kinnah ‘Electric’ Phiri, who is Malawi’s all-time top scorer, and replaced Osman as a centre-forward at Malawi national team, said: “I learnt a lot from Yasin Osman, and I was his understudy while at secondary school. Apart from being ever jovial, he was a nice person, and he will be greatly missed. It is a sad day for our football.”
The football fraternity has been dealt a big blow with the death of Yasin Osman, a legend of the beautiful game.
‘Tich’ as he was popularly called by adoring fans, will always be remembered for his immense contribution in Malawi football. He has died aged 75 leaving behind an impeccable football legacy.
An astute forward who had ‘supersonic’ speed who played with an exceptional touch of brilliance for the national side, The Malawi national team, the Chichiri Athletics, Wanderers and Bata Bullets.
The former lethal striker was best-known for birthing the age-old Wanderers – Bullets rivalry when he moved from the former to the latter at a record 100 Pounds transfer.
Tich’s extraordinary legacy will live forever!
Hamba Kahle, legend.
“I learnt a lot from Yasin Osman, and I was his understudy while at secondary school.”
Kinnah ‘Electric’ Phiri
Former Flames striker, captain and national team coach
