Online Reporter
JUST recently we were rocked with the tragic death of karateka Sensei Mugove Muhambi in a road crash in Harare.
We all felt the loss because Sensei Mugo was a fine athlete and, more importantly, he was a very good man.
He represented our country with pride and was a very good teacher of the next generation of karatekas and fitness enthusiasts.
Thousands of people attended his funeral service in what was a powerful demonstration of his popularity.
Before our tears have dried, we have once again been rocked by the tragic loss of yet another sportsperson who represented our country with pride.
Brian Banda was just 29 and somehow fate ensured that on June 29 he would die in a car crash on his way home to Bulawayo from Zvishavane, where he worked as a professional footballer at FC Platinum.
The midfielder died on the spot.
The outpouring of grief within our football community just goes to show that Banda was a very respected professional footballer.
He was a natural leader, a symbol of humility.
He wasn’t just a player; he was the heartbeat of every team he wore the badge for—Highlanders, FC Platinum and the Warriors.
As the country grapples with the tragedy, it has emerged that Banda died just two weeks after the birth of his son, a baby boy he never got to meet.
He leaves behind three children, two daughters and the newly-born son.
A day before his death, Banda was at Mandava watching FC Platinum’s 1-1 draw against Simba Bhora.
He could not play in that match because of an injury but, being the ultimate team player, he ensured that he had to be there for the sake of his teammates. Banda was good enough to earn nine caps for the Warriors.
ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi has called him “a humble leader and one of Zimbabwe’s finest,” while the Premier Soccer League said “Brian Banda graced our league with passion and commitment.
His impact will be remembered forever.”
We can’t control fate and tragedies, like this one, will always be part of us.
Former Dynamos centreback Watson Muhoni died in a car crash and a similar accident wiped out three CAPS United players – Blessing Makunike, Shingi Arlon and Gary Mashoko – in 2004.
It doesn’t only happen in this country but all over the world.
Banda was just unlucky to be at the wrong place at the wrong time and we share the pain which his family is enduring right now.
He had used the same mode of transport, on the same road, countless times in the past and would arrive home safely and return to work in one piece.
We have lost a good footballer just when he was at the prime of his athletic powers.
We also believe that FC Platinum’s next match against Manica Diamonds at the weekend should be postponed because it’s very clear that the players are not in the right frame of mind to play.
