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Dennis Liwewe

LUSAKA. — Zambia’s much-loved football commentator, the legendary Dennis Liwewe — one of African sport’s best recognised voices — has died aged 78, a family spokesman said yesterday.
“He passed away this morning at Levy Mwanawasa hospital. He was 78 years old and has had liver problems. He has been in hospital with a Liver aliment,” Ponga Liwewe, his eldest son, said.

Liwewe’s high-pitched tone, breathless cadence and reservoir of footballing knowledge made him a distinctive and celebrated commentator, but he was also regarded as an elder statesman of the game in Zambia and in the region.

When the entire Zambian side perished in a plane crash in 1993, Liwewe became a driving force behind the creation of a determined new team that managed to come second during the 1994 African Cup of Nations.

President Michael Sata led the tributes, describing Liwewe as “a passionate football commentator who helped raise the standards of Zambian football today.”
“His passing is a great loss not only to the Liwewe family but to Zambia and Africa as a whole.”

Zambia’s former president Rupiah Banda — who was also vice president of the country’s football federation —said “Liwewe lifted the hearts of many in this region.”
“His death is a great, great, great loss.”

Liwewe’s death also prompted an outpouring of tributes on social media.
“Sad day our Dennis Liwewe has passed away. May your soul rest in peace. You will never be forgotten,” said one message from fan Bruce Tondo, via his Twitter account @Brudeto1.

The man who inspired the late Zimbabwean soccer commentator Evans Mambara, Liwewe was the voice of Zambian football for the last 45 years covering over 14 Africa Cup finals.

His most defining moment was in April, 1993 when he gave one of the most moving eulogies ever seen on Zambian television following the Gabon Air Crash.
Most Zambians football followers regarded Liwewe as the greatest soccer commentator ever.

He made the game appear more exciting than it actually was on the pitch. Some of the fans enjoyed watching the game from a radio set than TV.
The 78-year-old celebrated broadcaster is on record to have followed the Zambia national soccer team for national TV and radio for decades.

His passion for soccer and meaningful contributions to football commentaries extended way beyond Zambian soils.
In 1977, he was awarded the Order of Distinguished Service by first Republican President Kenneth Kaunda, in recognition for his contribution to the development of soccer.

When the British Broadcasting Co-operation (BBC) wanted to broadcast a match live between Zambia and Zaire, the BBC recognised Liwewe’s invaluable talent in soccer commentary and recruited him as one of their correspondents.

This achievement meant that he had to cover football and sports in general, a task he diligently carried out until 2004, when he was retired as BBC correspondent.
Liwewe becomes the latest high profile sportsperson to die following the demise of former Zambia internationals Keagan Mumba, Dennis Lota and Kaiser Kalambo.
Liwewe made the game come alive with his corny comments.