Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, [email protected]
THEY arrived at Highlanders Football Club as servants of the institution, each playing a different role in preserving the legacy of Zimbabwe’s oldest football club.
Yesterday, they left as legends whose names have been carved into Bosso’s rich history.
Thousands of mourners from across Zimbabwe’s football fraternity bade farewell to the quartet: club chairman Retired Colonel Kenneth Mhlophe, vice-chairman Sifiso Siziba, treasurer Nkani Khoza and club member Mbalenhle Sibanda at an emotional joint funeral service held at Barbourfields Stadium.
For a club that has weathered countless storms in its century-long existence, this was perhaps its darkest day. The stadium that has witnessed unforgettable victories, fierce rivalries and joyous celebrations was instead draped in sorrow as football united to honour the four lives cut short in a tragic road traffic accident.
Yet amid the grief emerged one powerful message that football rivalry ends where humanity begins.
Supporters of Highlanders, Dynamos, Mwos, Herentals, CAPS United, Chicken Inn, Bulawayo Chiefs and several other clubs stood shoulder to shoulder.
They sang together, comforted one another and mourned with one voice, proving that while clubs compete fiercely for 90 minutes, football remains one family.
The familiar songs that usually echo around Barbourfields in celebration carried a different meaning. There were tears in the stands, embraces between rival supporters and silence that spoke louder than words.
Addressing mourners, Zifa president Nqobile Magwizi captured the significance of the venue and the magnitude of the loss.
“Barbourfields Stadium has always been a place of passion, pride and celebration. It is the spiritual home of Highlanders Football Club. It is a place where football memories have been created, where generations have united behind a badge and where football has brought joy to countless Zimbabweans. You can almost hear the supporters singing, the passion and joy that define this stadium.
“Today, however, this great stadium carries different emotions. It carries the weight of profound loss. We have come together to bid farewell to four cherished members of our football family, Retired Colonel Kenneth Mhlophe, Nkani Khoza, my uncle Sifiso Siziba and Mbalenhle Sibanda.
Fiso Siziba
“On behalf of the Zimbabwe Football Association, I extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families, Highlanders Football Club and the people of Bulawayo. Today we mourn with you, we grieve with you and we stand with you.
“Allow me also to express our heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the Government for the compassion and support shown during this difficult time. The decision to accord the four State-assisted funerals is a fitting recognition of lives devoted to service.”
Premier Soccer League chairman Isaiah Mpfurutsa said the tragedy had changed Highlanders’ history.
“The centenary celebrations remind us that the history of any successful institution is written by people who dedicate their lives to building and supporting it. These four names have now been woven into the history of this great club.
Perhaps no image summed up the day better than seeing rival football leaders and supporters embracing one another, putting aside decades of rivalry to mourn together.
Dynamos chairman Vincent Chawonza said football should always be about unity.
“We are not enemies in football. We are one family. It is a beautiful thing to see supporters united like this during such a difficult time. We also want to see this spirit when we celebrate centenaries because we are the oldest clubs in the country.”
Chicken Inn chairman Lifa Ncube said the loss extended beyond Highlanders.
“It has been a very sad week for the Bulawayo football community. We have lost four members of our football family. We are here as Chicken Inn to stand with our colleagues at Highlanders during this difficult time. This is not only a loss for Highlanders but for the entire football community.”
Bulawayo Chiefs secretary-general Dumisani Muntula Sibanda echoed similar sentiments.
“No one expected this. It is devastating for all of us as Bulawayo clubs and as a community.”
Highlanders legend Lawrence Phiri, who has witnessed many chapters in the club’s illustrious history, struggled to find words.
“This has never happened in the history of the club and it is very devastating. It is now up to those who remain to see how we can rebuild the club from here.”
Among the thousands in attendance were ordinary supporters whose lives have revolved around Highlanders for decades. Many admitted they had never imagined witnessing such a day.
Bosso supporter Nkosilathi Ndlovu said: “I have supported Highlanders all my life and I have celebrated many victories here, but today is the saddest day I have experienced at Barbourfields. We have not only lost leaders; we have lost people who genuinely loved this club.”
supporter, Sithembiso Moyo, fought back tears as the coffins left the stadium.
“Seeing supporters from different clubs singing together reminds us that football is bigger than rivalry. Today we are bidding farewell to four dedicated members of Bosso but we are also celebrating their legacy of unity.”
Following the funeral service at Barbourfields Stadium, Khoza and Siziba were laid to rest at Lady Stanley Cemetery, where family, friends and members of the football fraternity witnessed their burial. Mhlophe will be buried at the same cemetery today while Sibanda will also be buried today in Filabusi.
