“It's the fourth year that I have been playing football in Russia, and I must say that Russians' respect for sports, their brilliant managerial skills and rich sports traditions are not just words. Such a professional approach to sports will allow organizing Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi in strict compliance with all the IOC standards. Russia has a track record of hosting major sports events and the 2007/8 UEFA Champions League final in Moscow is excellent proof that the country is ready to host the Winter Games.“

Known throughout the football world as the "Black Mamba" for his stinging attacks and outstanding forward skills, Essau Kanyenda is a football striker for Russia's Premier League FC Rostov (Rostov-on-Don) and the Malawi national football team.

Kanyenda started his career in 1998 in Malawi's First Division for FC Welfare (Dedza). He soon turned professional and played in the Premier League of Malawi from 1999-2001 for FC Dwasco (Nkota-Kota), before moving to South Africa to play in its Premier League, with Jomo Cosmos FC (Johannesburg) between 2001 and 2003.

In 2003, Kanyenda moved to Russia, for FC Rostov (Rostov-on-Don) in Russia's Premier League. In 2005, he left briefly for FC Lokomotiv (Moscow), but re-joined FC Rostov on loan until December 2006. Kanyenda is scheduled to return to FC Lokomotiv for the remainder of the 2006/7 season. Kanyenda has played 64 games and scored 10 goals for FC Rostov.

Essau Kanyenda was born in 1982 in Dedza, Malawi.

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