BY HENRY MHARA
ZIFA have approached government seeking conferment of national hero status on the late former Dynamos player and coach David Mandigora.
Yogi, as he was affectionately known, died in Harare on Saturday after a long illness. He was 64.
Condolence messages have been pouring in from all football stakeholders since his death with many saying he desired national recognition considering his immense contribution towards the development of the game in the country.
Zifa have written to the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) requesting government to confer hero status on him.
According to the National Heroes Act, for one to be declared a national hero, they need to be a citizen of Zimbabwe who has served the country well through outstanding, distinctive and distinguished service.
With the exception of musician Oliver Mtukudzi, the national hero status has been historically conferred to largely ruling party elite.
“Mandigora had a huge impact on the face of local football, from the colonial days when the sport was used to challenge colonial rule. It was befitting that he was crowned as the soccer star in 1980 when the country attained independence,” Zifa wrote.
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Mandigora was part of the all-star Dynamos team that included the likes of Sunday Chidzambga, Moses Chunga and Misheck Chidzambga in the 1980s.
He coached Dynamos to a league title in 2007, ensuring the club ended a decade-long championship drought.
They went on to defy the odds in the African Champions League under Yogi in 2008 where they managed to reach the semi-finals of the continental premier club competition. No local club has ever managed to hit those lofty heights in the competition since then.
Mandigora also had a stint with the national team, mostly as an assistant coach.
Added Zifa, “He also played for the national team on various occasions and put the country on the football map. Mandigora’s transition from a devoted player to a successful coach epitomises the life story of a true hero for many young footballers and the generality of Zimbabweans. David served the sporting fraternity and the nation at large with distinction and it is our humble request that he be bestowed with the greatest honour of being declared a national hero.”
- Follow Henry on Twitter @henrymhara
