Bulawayo City FC mourn founding pillar

BULAWAYO City Football Club founding member Patrick “Njaka” Ncube has died. He was 47.
Ncube passed away on Saturday at Mpilo Central Hospital where he had been admitted since last month.

He was among the 17 men who came together in 2006 to form a football team for recreation at the Bulawayo Municipality Luveve Security Base. The side joined the Bulawayo Amateur Football Association league in 2009.

After five seasons in the amateur ranks, the club registered with Zifa Division Three and adopted the name BCC Golden Arrows. Promotion followed in 2013 and the team moved up again in 2014 into the Zifa Southern Region Division One league.

After that promotion, Bulawayo City Council resolved to place the team under its Community Services Department and rename it Bulawayo City Football Club. An advisory board made up of councillors and other stakeholders was set up while the executive and technical structures were reshaped.

Ncube served as Under 20 manager before later working as one of the club’s security officers.
Club chairman Jerry Sibanda said the loss had left the team shattered.

“Njaka was one of us. He was a founding member and he was there at almost every home game. He always encouraged us even when we were playing away and he wanted nothing more than to see the team do well,” said Sibanda.

He said the club had lost a key figure who played a central role from its early days as a social side to its rise through the leagues.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss and we stand with the Ncube family during this difficult time,” he said.

Former coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube, who had been caring for him during his illness, said he had lost a close companion.

“I have lost a brother, colleague, teammate and a father figure. He was always the first to congratulate me after a win or to comfort me after a loss. He was honest with me and would tell me when I was wrong,” he said.

“He fought a painful battle. We thank God for the time we had with him. He always said forming Bulawayo City FC was his greatest achievement and believed he was called to lead a football team.”

Mourners are gathered at house number 3373 Gwabalanda.

He is survived by his wife Saneliso Khumalo and three children.