PETALING JAYA, Nov 18 — One of the national football legends at the 1972 Munich Olympics, Wan Zawawi Wan Yusof (pic), who passed away at age 68 in Kuantan on Thursday, will always be fondly remembered as a "most jovial teammate.”

Datuk Soh Chin Aun, now 67, who played in the same squad with him in the 1972 Munich Olympics, said he is really missing his old buddy.

"At this age, we hardly meet each other. The last time I met him was in Kelantan last year.

"All the football oldies remember him as a jovial person. He is fun. Malaysia lost a football icon and it is sad,” said Chin Aun of "Towkay" fame during the golden soccer era of the 70s and 80s.

Chin Aun did not have the chance to see off his buddy. "The funeral was too far for an old person like me, plus time constraint. I couldn’t make it to wave him my last respect.

"However, our good memories in football remain in my heart forever,” he added.

In the Munich Olympics, Wan Zawawi scored in Malaysia’s 3-0 win over the US.

Playing at the Olympics was one of the finest moments in Wan Zawawi’s long and distinguished football career with the national team, Kelantan, Pahang and Prisons.

Kelantan FA deputy president Datuk Afandi Hamzah also conveyed condolences to Wan Zawawi’s family.

"The late Wan Zawawi, when no longer playing football, still cared for the sport especially the Red Warriors.

"It’s a great loss for Kelantan football and the sport. He (Wan Zawawi) wanted Kelantan football to shine again. I promised we would,” he said.