Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE past few weeks have been particularly tough for Kenneth Pasuwa, the son of legendary coach Kalisto.
While battling a knee injury that sidelined him for three weeks, Kenneth was also dealing with the emotional turmoil of his father’s sudden illness.
Kalisto, who now coaches the Malawi national team, spent four days in a South African ICU after suffering a pulmonary condition.
“It was a scary time,” Kenneth admitted. “Not just for football, but for family.”
Kalisto missed Malawi’s crucial CHAN final qualifier against South Africa on May 11 due to his hospitalisation.
Without his tactical influence, the Flames fell 2-0 to Bafana Bafana at Loftus Versfeld, crashing out of the race for the 2024 CHAN finals set for East Africa.
Kenneth’s club Kwekwe United is teetering on the brink.
The Midlands outfit is languishing at the bottom of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table and has become the league’s whipping boys.
Their latest humiliation came via a 4-0 hammering at the hands of MWOS at Ngoni Stadium last weekend.
The defeat was their 10th in 12 matches.
Kwekwe United have managed just one win all season, a 2-1 triumph over Bikita Minerals on March 15, and have conceded 26 goals, an alarming average of 2.2 per game.
Financial woes off the pitch are compounding matters, with the club already forfeiting a fixture due to lack of funds.
For Kenneth, however, the struggling club represents a second chance.
“Kwekwe United offers me a good opportunity to pick myself up again,” said the 26-year-old central midfielder, who has only featured three times this season due to a knee injury and clearance delays.
“Yes, things are tough right now, but I believe I can use this platform to rediscover my form and showcase my talent.”
Kenneth returned to full fitness following the goalless draw against Dynamos at Rufaro on April 27.
Although he was an unused substitute against MWOS, he’s eyeing more minutes in their next fixture against TelOne.
“I’m fully fit now and looking forward to helping the team. We need to stay focused, anything can happen in football.”
Kenneth previously played under his father at Nyasa Bullets in Malawi, an experience he says shaped his mindset and work ethic.
“Being coached by your father is awkward, you’re always trying not to let him down,” he said with a smile. “But I learnt a lot. He’s one of the best in the business, and that alone inspires me.”
derick.khumalo