South African football legend Jomo Sono has declared that no club or system on the continent can rival South Africa’s historic record of producing elite African strikers, as he paid an emotional tribute to the late Esau ‘Black Mamba’ Kanyenda.

Kanyenda, a revered figure in African football and a former Premier Soccer League (PSL) star, was laid to rest this week after passing away suddenly at the age of 43, just days after publicly confirming he was receiving treatment for liver cancer.

A PSL Icon With a European Legacy

Kanyenda’s rise to prominence began under Sono at Jomo Cosmos, where his lethal finishing and relentless work rate quickly made him one of the most feared forwards in South African football.

From the PSL, his career soared to new heights in European football, most notably in Russia, where he enjoyed successful spells with FC Rostov and Lokomotiv Moscow, eventually featuring in the UEFA Champions League — a rare achievement for a Southern African striker of his era.

“Nobody Matches Us When It Comes to Strikers” — Sono

Reflecting on decades of talent development, Sono said South Africa’s contribution to African goal-scoring history stands alone.

“When it comes to strikers, nobody can match us in Africa,” Sono told iDiski Times.
“The number of forwards we produced is unbelievable.”

He went on to list some of the most recognisable attacking names to emerge from South African football structures, including Philemon Masinga, Pitso Mosimane, Russell Mwafulirwa, Andre Kona, Chris Katongo, Anthony Laffor, Mark Williams, Eric September, and Tico-Tico.

“These are some of the finest strikers African football has ever seen,” Sono added.

Remembering a Relentless Goal Machine

Sono described Kanyenda as one of the hardest-working forwards he had ever coached, a striker who never allowed defenders a moment of rest.

“He was sensational,” Sono said.
“Defenders had no time to relax. He pressed, he fought, he dominated in the air, and some of the goals he scored were simply unbelievable.”

The former coach also expressed pride in how Kanyenda transformed his life and career after arriving in South Africa with little recognition.

“He came here as a nobody and became a big name,” Sono explained.
“It reminds me of Benjani, who arrived unknown and later played for Manchester City, scored in major cup finals, and reached the very top.”

The Day Sono Discovered Kanyenda

Sono recalled first spotting Kanyenda while watching a match in Malawi, where he was immediately struck by the striker’s intensity and physical presence.

“I went to watch Malawi play, and I saw Esau,” he said.
“I also saw Clifton Msiya, one of the best left-footed players of that time — powerful, skillful, unbelievable. Time really does fly.”

Kanyenda would later be sold in a lucrative transfer to FC Rostov, further cementing his status as one of the PSL’s most successful exports to European football.

A Legacy That Lives On

Although Kanyenda was laid to rest far from South Africa, Sono stressed that his impact on local and international football will never be forgotten.

“He may be buried far away, but his family must know we carry them in our hearts,” Sono said.
“We will always remember what he did in South Africa, and what he achieved in Europe.”

📌 Stay tuned for more tributes, African football history features, and PSL legends coverage.
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