Essau Kanyenda
Malawian footballer
Malawi
Forward
Essau Kanyenda: profile
Essau Kanyenda (born 27 September 1982 in Dedza, Malawi) was a Malawian footballer who played as a forward. He died on 2 December 2025.
Kanyenda made the step into senior football with Jomo Cosmos F.C. in 2001. He played for 8 clubs in 3 countries between 2001 and 2017. The busiest spell of his career was at Polokwane City F.C. (2012–2017): 99 appearances and 22 goals. Across all recorded club spells he totals 343 appearances and 85 goals.
At international level, Kanyenda represented Malawi (2000–2015), earning 65 caps and scoring 21 goals. Our match database lists 5 of his international goals; the first came against Ethiopia on 12 October 2003 (World Cup Qualification).
Dedza has produced 3 footballers in our database, including Robin Ngalande and Stanley Sanudi.
Key facts
- Senior international debut
- 2000 (aged about 18)
- First international goal
- 2003 – aged 21 (match)
- Club career
- 2001–2017 (17 seasons)
- Countries played in
- 3: South Africa, Russia and Denmark
- Club goals per game
- 0.25 (85 in 343)
- Height
- 183 cm — taller than 82% of Malawian internationals on record
- Latest move
- Boldklubben af 1893 (2012)
- Shares a birthday with
- Frédéric Bulot, Maxwel Cornet and Uche Okechukwu (more)
Club career
| Years | Club | League | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001–2003 |  Jomo Cosmos F.C. |
National First Division | 46 | 26 |
| 2003–2005 |  FC Rostov |
Russian Premier League | 63 | 11 |
| 2005–2007 | FC Lokomotiv Moscow |
Russian Premier League | 3 | 0 |
| 2006–2007 | FC Rostov |
Russian Premier League | 44 | 10 |
| 2008–2010 | FC KAMAZ Naberezhnye Chelny |
Russian First League | 44 | 9 |
| 2010 | FC Rotor Volgograd |
Russian First League | 27 | 7 |
| 2011 | FC Dynamo Bryansk |
Russian First League | 12 | 0 |
| 2012 |  Boldklubben af 1893 |
Danish 1st Division | 5 | 0 |
| 2012–2017 | Polokwane City F.C. |
Premier Soccer League | 99 | 22 |
| Total | 343 | 85 |
Appearances and goals are league figures where recorded on Wikidata; “–” means not recorded.
International career
| Years | Team | Level | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–2015 | Malawi |
Senior | 65 | 21 |
International goals (5)
| # | Date | Match | Min | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 Oct 2003 | Ethiopia 1–3 Malawi | 39 | World Cup Qualification |
| 2 | 12 Oct 2003 | Ethiopia 1–3 Malawi | 55 | World Cup Qualification |
| 3 | 31 May 2008 | Malawi 8–1 Djibouti | 19 | World Cup Qualification |
| 4 | 31 May 2008 | Malawi 8–1 Djibouti | 46 | World Cup Qualification |
| 5 | 31 May 2008 | Malawi 8–1 Djibouti | 48 | World Cup Qualification |
*Goals listed are those present in our match-by-match goal database, which is most complete for tournament matches.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Essau Kanyenda born?
Essau Kanyenda was born in Dedza, Malawi.
Which national team does Essau Kanyenda play for?
Essau Kanyenda played international football for Malawi. He has 65 caps and 21 goals on record.
Which clubs has Essau Kanyenda played for?
Essau Kanyenda's recorded clubs are Jomo Cosmos F.C., FC Rostov, FC Lokomotiv Moscow, FC KAMAZ Naberezhnye Chelny, FC Rotor Volgograd, FC Dynamo Bryansk, Boldklubben af 1893 and Polokwane City F.C..
How tall is Essau Kanyenda?
Essau Kanyenda is 183 cm (6 ft 0 in) tall.
What position does Essau Kanyenda play?
Essau Kanyenda played as a forward.