Chronicle Editor
Lovemore Dube, [email protected]
FORMER Highlanders dribbling wizard Christopher Sibanda who died in Bulawayo on Monday afternoon will be buried at Umvutshwa this morning.
He was 75 at the time of his death having been born in Makokoba on January 1, 1949.
His brother Enos last night said Christopher had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and had succumbed to it after a protracted battle with the ailment.
“He had battled with prostate cancer and eventually succumbed to it on Monday afternoon at home at D42, Mzilikazi. We have lost a man who loved his family. He never said “qoki” when he knocked he would say ‘hello’ and even when he was greeting people he would always say ‘hello’. Kids called him Hello at home. He was a good personality and will be sorely missed by the whole family and neighbourhood.
“His Highlanders family has been here and we are grateful for that. He will be buried at Umvutshwa tomorrow (this morning),” said Enos.
He is among footballers who defined wing play in the 1960s and 1970s having started at Eastern Brothers before joining Highlanders in the late 1960s guiding the team to Division One National League in 1970. He played alongside Lawrence Phiri, Billy Sibanda, Benjie Mpofu, Mbence, Jeffrey Mpofu, Mfakazi, Patson Ncube, Daniel Dube, Chris Mhlanga, Kainoth Luphahla, Ananias Dube, Nehemiah Dube, Tymon Mabaleka, Bernard Staddon, Trust Moyo, John Vela and a majority of the players he had played with them at the boys’ club and Eastern Brothers who became Eastlands.
His generation was inspired by the likes of Dusk King the master dribbler.
Christopher was a master dribbler with a small frame and could easily find his way in crowded defence spaces and set up teammates or earn fouls.
He was nicknamed Chris Bha(wa) by his mother who sold wares outside Big Bhawa, MaKhumalo Number One Beergarden.
Online Reporter