IT is a firm statement when they all say: “Death shall have no dominion.”
Legends never die, instead, they multiply because everyone who would have surrounded you will have the prospect to praise you for your past good works.
To be born a football player/coach is by accident, but to die one is an achievement. You were a great man, a tactician, technically equipped, intelligent, with leadership qualities and a good listener with a rich sense of humour.
The definition of the word skill is the application of a selected technique on demand and it was only you, Willard Khumalo, Tito Paketh and David Phiri who could apply that.
You might have been stubborn and arrogant when in the presence of the Bushwackers (the late Mercedes Sibanda and Khumalo) but I knew how to deal with you boys when you came back for training on Tuesdays after bingeing yourselves in Pumula after the Sunday games.
I dealt with you using the “10-marker run” in which you would cover a distance of up to eight kilometres within a short radius and you would not realise it.
I could bring that to heaven if my turn (to die) comes to join you boys. If there was football after death, I would hear you with that hoarse voice saying: “Topi (Elder) I have come up with new tactics to win the league championship for Highlanders to win the league five times in a row,” and me as your mentor would never doubt that.
Lastly, you inherited my character of being humble, full of humour and respectful, is the essence of life. Oh! Essence is bright in football by your good quality passing and not forgetting the booming shots from outside the box.
- Adios Rahman — Tsano (Obituary)
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Average players struggle and shoot to score; you passed the ball into the nets.
I am also not going to forget the good, smart dressing. It is you and Alexander Maseko who always wanted to dress like me. “Ndoda! you will end up putting on your wife’s costume if you keep on trying to emulate my dressing,” I remember telling you many a time. Mina ngiyembatha, ndino simira shamwari (I am a smart dresser).
You were enough living proof of being a game changer.
May Your Soul REST IN PEACE FOREVER!
Memories will remain rooted into my heart. My sincere condolences to your wife, children, family, former playmates, coaches, administrators, business partners; for the loss that hit us unexpectedly.
- Cosmas Zulu played for Highlanders before and after Independence and coached the late Rahman Gumbo in the late 1980 at the Bulawayo giants.
