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Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
THE Dynamos leadership have been accused of neglecting, and deserting George Shaya, who is widely considered the club’s greatest son.
The five-time Soccer Star of the Year died in Harare yesterday.
He was 77.
Yesterday, one of Shaya’s former teammates said he was shocked to receive a call from one of the club’s executive members, requesting the contact details of Shaya’s widow.
‘‘It came as a shock to me and, in a way, it showed me that those who say they are now leading our club have divorced themselves from the people who made it what it is today,’’ he said.
‘‘Surely, how can they start looking for the contacts of the old man’s widow, trying to reach out to her, now that our giant has fallen?
‘‘You would have expected that, with everything which George has faced, in recent years when he has needed a helping hand, these people would have all the contacts, because they should have been providing that help.
‘‘What use is giving the family help now, when George is gone, when the same people turned their backs on the legend, when he really needed them? It’s another sad chapter, in the history of our club, but it appears this is what we have become.’’
There was an ugly fallout, between some former DeMbare players and some of the club’s leaders, during the funeral service of David ‘‘Yogi’’ Mandigora.
Some of the former players were unhappy the club’s bosses had turned their back on the 1980 Soccer Star of the Year, when he needed their help, only to try to recognise him, in death.
Two years ago, Dairiboard Zimbabwe, donated a car to Shaya, to help him with his transportation needs, when going for his medical check-ups. Former club secretary-general, Brian Kashangura, yesterday paid tribute to Dairiboard chief executive, Antony Mandiwanza, for taking care of the legend. Mandiwanza is a former top-flight league referee.
“I would like to extend my gratitude to Mr Antony Mandiwanza, and Dairiboard Zimbabwe, for taking care, and financially adopting him, during the period he was admitted and subsequently had his leg amputated up, to the day of his demise,’’ said Kashangura.
“Everyone had deserted him, including the club he played for but Mr Mandiwanza and his company, were there for him.’’
Dynamos spokesperson, Yvonne Mangunda, in a statement, said they had lost their legend. “George Shaya was in a class of his own and his contribution to football, in particular, and sport, in general, is incomparable,’’ she said.
‘‘A true football magician, who dazzled past his opponents in both club and national colours, making football look easy to play.
‘‘The best of them all, Shaya was a football giant whose humility, genius, artistry and excellence won him adulation, and hero status, from both his colleagues at Dynamos, and the opponents.
‘‘A player who never ran short of football trickery, ‘The Mastermind’ was like a choir master who would hypnotise both the choir, and the audience, with his football finesse.
“The five-time Soccer Star of the Year set the bar of football achievements so high that the record he set has not been breached to date. Upon retirement, Shaya assumed leadership roles at Dynamos and was chairman, when we reached the Champions League final, in 1998.
“Shaya’s name will live beyond his years and his contribution will continue to be spoken about because of his talent.’’
She said he was more than just a Dynamos legend. ‘‘A hero, an entertainer and a legend, a poster boy for Zimbabwe sports excellence,’’ said Mangunda.
“May his family take solace from the fact that he was given by the Lord to Zimbabwe, that he ran a trailblazing race, that he continues to be regarded as the greatest of all-time and that his achievements will be spoken of long after he is gone. Mastermind, we shall forever be indebted to you for all that you gave to Dynamos, Zimbabwe and football.’’
Online Reporter