Malawi football fraternity is mourning the death of German coach Manfred Hoener.
The seasoned technical director died back home on March 6 2021 due to heart failure.
The German helped revamp youth football, created a platform for exposure to young players through trips abroad and helped train many coaches in Malawi.
It is for this reason that his death back home in Germany has left Malawi football in shock.
Dan Chitsulo, the player Hoener groomed in Malawi under-17 and 20 national teams before brokering his transfer to FC Cologne, has since paid tribute to his mentor.
“To all football followers, let me take this opportunity to inform you that my friend Manfred Hoener is no more. He left us on 6 March due to heart failure at the age of 79. Am really shocked. Am here where I am just because of this man,” Chitsulo wrote on his Facebook page.
Football Association of Malawi president Walter Nyamilandu has also paid glowing tribute to Hoener.
“We had exciting and successful national youth teams during his time. Over and above that he worked very hard to expose talented players in Europe to give them a brighter future. If he had been around for long, Malawi football would have immensely benefitted from his expertise and we would have been miles away.
“Personally, I will remember him for opening my doors to the national team when Rueben Malola was coach. He also offered me special training sessions with Chimwemwe Gadi when we were going for trials overseas. He did the same with all players who went for trails outside the country. He is probably one of the best expatriates we have had in terms of youth football technical development and may His Soul Rest in Peace,” Nyamilandu told FAM website.
Hoener came to Malawi in 1996 courtesy of bilateral relationship between Malawi and Germany.
He served as a TD overseeing all national teams by ensuring proper transition of players and coaches.
Hoener guided Malawi Under-18 national team to a Dana Cup title in Denmark and a third finish at the Gothia Cup in Sweden during the team’s European tour in 1997.
He also led the Malawi Under-20 national team to a bronze medal finish at the COSAFA Under-20 Youth Championship in Botswana.