Former CAPS United and Triangle coach, Gishon Ntini has died. He was 42.
by Sports Reporter
Ntini died at Karanda Mission Hospital in Mt Darwin at around 10:40pm on Sunday after a short illness.
His wife, Margaret, said Ntini had been taken ill in Botswana.
“He called me while in hospital in Botswana last week telling me he was unwell. Doctors detected he had a growth on his bladder, which needed to be operated on. He asked his employers to allow him to come back to Zimbabwe after unsuccessful attempts to treat him that side,” she said.
“His employers assisted him into getting here. We then took him to Karanda Mission Hospital, where his sister is based. He was supposed to go to theatre this morning (yesterday) but he died at around 10:40 last night.”
At the time of his death, Ntini was coaching Satmos FC in Botswana, which had been relegated to the second-tier league
He took charge of the team when it was already languishing in the relegation zone in February this year, after a spell with Chiredzi FC.
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The firebrand coach, who called himself the Lion of Zimbabwean football, was an understudy to former Caps United coach Charles Mhlauri and later coached the Green Machine.
He also coached Shooting Stars before he went to Chiredzi, where he guided Triangle to the Premiership in 2012.
He also had a spell as coach of relegated Chiredzi FC.
Yesterday, the Premier Soccer League sent a message of condolence.
“The Premier Soccer League (PSL) chairman, board of governors and clubs mourn the untimely passing of former PSL coach, Gishon Ntini,” the statement read.
“Ntini was a great man, who was dedicated to producing talented players. His commitment and contributions to the development of local football will forever be cherished. We convey our heartfelt sympathies to the Ntini family and the football family in this difficult time of bereavement. Farewell Lion of Zimbabwean football. May his soul rest in peace.”
Caps United marketing director, Alois Bunjira expressed shock and sadness at learning of Ntini’s passing.
“I have learnt with great sadness that former Caps United, Black Rhinos and Triangle coach, Gishon Ntini, is no more. A great man indeed. I first met Gishon during my playing days at Caps United, before he ventured into coaching and he had been a great colleague and friend ever since. Zimbabwean football is poorer without him. He will be sadly missed.”
Magret said Ntini will be buried today in his rural home in Mhondoro-Ngezi.
Mourners were gathered in Glen Norah yesterday with the body expected to have been taken to Mhondoro-Ngezi later in the evening.
He is survived by his wife, Magret and three children, two girls and a boy.
