adminTobias Mandoreba in Hwange
HWANGE FC legend David “Dididi” Khumalo, who passed away in the coal mining town last Saturday, was buried at ZPC cemetery during an emotional service attended by hundreds of people. A funeral service was earlier held at Lwendulu Old Ground and speaker after speaker glowingly narrated how the maverick late Khumalo illuminated the scene in the Chipangano jersey and the impact he made on the soccer front in Hwange after his playing days.
His eldest son Kelvin, who was known as KK during his playing stints at Matabeleland North Division Two sides Blackrock, Young Africans and Rufaro, said football was in his father’s blood.
“Football was in my father’s blood and every time we sat down during our spare time, his only topic was soccer and he used to share with me his exploits on the field of play. He was also very keen to see Hwange FC grow and become a famous team in the country.” said a teary Kelvin.
Khumalo’s former teammate Tywman Ncube said: “It’s a big loss for the town and nation to lose such a soccer talent. We had a lethal combination in the team and I can boast that no defence could stand our attacking prowess and more so our team back then would crash opponents at the Colliery Stadium, and ‘Dididi’ played a big part in that proud history.”
Another former teammate Isaac Phiri said Khumalo had amazing pace, which attracted large crowds to Hwange matches.
“He was blessed with so much pace and trickery that all our opponents’ left-backs would leave the pitch tired to the bone after being overworked by Khumalo,” said Phiri.
Former Chronicle Sports Editor Lovemore Dube said: “Rest in peace Dididi, a true and undiluted Zimbabwe football legend. Sadly for all your brilliance, problems that continue to afflict Zimbabwean sport confined you to the football scrap heap without reaping what you deserved. You were a marvel home and away; you leave a lasting memory in many of us who followed Chipangano and Zimbabwe football in the 1970s and 1980s.”
Zifa Matabeleland North provincial chairman Dennis Tshuma said they were in mourning.
“This is a huge and irreplaceable loss to the entire province as it was no secret that all players that came after Khumalo were all trying to emulate what he did during his playing days. The huge turnout here is testimony of his impact during and after his playing days,” said Tshuma.
Hwange FC supporters committee chairman Maybin Dizomba said having Khumalo in the crowd at home always spurred the present crop of players to win.
The Hwange FC executive led by Joseph Zulu, the players, lower division clubs, the local leadership, as well as members of the business community from Hwange and Victoria Falls attended Khumalo’s burial.
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