Celebrating Yasin ‘Njinga’ Osman

By Wycliffe Njiragoma

Malawi has today lost not just a football icon, but a national treasure. Yasin ‘Njinga” Osman, fondly known as Titch, has died at the age of 75.

A man whose football journey spanned over five decades, Osman embodied resilience, honesty, and an undying love for the beautiful game.

From his early days at Chichiri Athletics to electrifying spells with Wanderers and Bullets, Yasin was more than a striker – he was a symbol of the sport’s power to unite and inspire. When he moved to Bata Bullets in the 1968/69 season for a then-record fee of £100, it sparked the legendary rivalry with Wanderers – one that still fuels Malawian football passion today.

But his legacy stretches far beyond goals and transfers.

He was a mentor, a tactician, and a straight-talker. Even in defeat, he was refreshingly honest.

After a heavy CAF Champions League loss, he didn’t sugar-coat things: “Our friends are far much better than us in everything,” he admitted.

Yet, in moments of frustration, he always found the heart to fight on. In 2013, amid a debate about coach salaries, he famously quipped: “Coaches do not play; they just direct. If the K3.5 million were directed at the players to share, I could see them beating the Nigerians even without the help of a coach.”

In 2017, after leading Mighty Be Forward Wanderers to a TNM Super League title, his joy was visible, but he didn’t let success go to anyone’s head. He challenged his players to stay hungry:

“They shouldn’t play just because they have been given a chance. That attitude should change.”

This was Osman’s way – demanding more, pushing harder, and never settling.

Off the pitch, he was a father figure to many. He served in various football governance roles, including General Secretary of the Football Association of Malawi. His presence was commanding yet kind, and his mentorship paved the way for future generations.

Yasin was also part of a family that shaped both sport and media in Malawi – his brother Alaudin Osman being a legendary footbaler, journalist and founder of Capital Radio.

Today, we don’t just mourn Titch. We celebrate a life fully lived, a voice that never wavered, and a spirit that lives on in every football pitch across Malawi.

Rest well, Titch.