THE body of Zimbabwean football legend, Freddy Mkwesha was paraded at Rufaro Stadium yesterday before it was taken to Goromonzi – his rural home – where it was set to lie in state before burial this afternoon.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
The who is who of football attended the parade before embarking on the trip to Goromonzi.
Dynamos patron, former Information minister, Webster Shamu, Zifa vice-president, Omega Sibanda, Zifa chief executive, Jonathan Mashingaidze and Premier Soccer League chairman, Twine Phiri also attended the parade, together with Dynamos founding members led by Bernard Marriot Lusengo, board of directors, chairman, Owen Chandamale, Simon Sachiti, Sunday Chidzambwa and Eric Aisam among others.
Dynamos president, Keni Mubaiwa, players and the technical team, led by Tonderai Ndiraya, and Warriors coach, Kalisto Pasuwa were some of the attendees.
Former Caps United players, Dumisani Mpofu and Stix Mtizwa also attended.
Sibanda said they were touched by the plight ofretired footballers and pledged to introduce a trust fund to cater for their welfare.
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“We will introduce a fund to look after the players when they decide to end their careers. We are touched by the plight of most of these players. They should have insurance after their careers. We should try and look after the deceased’s (Mkwesha’s) family,” he said.
Sibanda paid tribute to the role Mkwesha played in shaping Zimbabwean football.
Mkwesha died at Harare Central Hospital on Tuesday after a long battle with diabetes.
He was a Dynamos founding member in 1963 and was instrumental in the club’s formative years.
He was an adviser to the club’s board of directors at the time of his death.
He was the first Zimbabwean player to play in Europe, turning out for Portuguese Primera Liga side Sporting de Braga in the late 1960s, where he rubbed shoulders with the late Portuguese legend, Eusebio.
Mkwesha also served at Caps United, where he also recorded successes in cup competitions as a coach. Some former Caps United players, who include Frank Nyamukuta and Alois Bunjira paid tribute to Mkwesha, whom they described as an inspiration and mentor. Mkwesha was the team manager at Caps when the trailblazing Class of 1996 swept all silverware under the guidance of Steve Kwashi.
