Online Reporter
Collin Matiza-Zimpapers Sports Hub
STANFORD NHUNHAMA, one of the most underrated players in local football while turning out for CAPS United in the early and mid-80s, has died at the age of 69 due to a heart problem.
Nhunhama’s brother, Sydney, told Zimpapers Sports Hub yesterday that the former CAPS United midfielder succumbed to a heart problem in the early hours of yesterday morning at Sally Mugabe Hospital in Harare.
He is survived by six children (five boys and one girl). Mourners are gathered at No. 27 Hombasha Street in Harare’s high-density suburb of Mbare.
“It is with a sad and heavy heart that I announce the untimely death of my elder brother Stanford Nhunhama.
“He had been unwell for quite some time and was recently admitted at Sally Mugabe Hospital, where he passed away this morning (yesterday).
“Stanford used to play for CAPS United in the early 1980s up to the mid-80s. He joined CAPS United from the now-defunct Division One side ProNutro,” Sydney said.
Stanford played for CAPS United during their “Cup Kings” era in the 1980s when they dominated the local knock-out competitions.
He was brought to CAPS United by his uncle, the late legendary coach Obediah “Wasu” Sarupinda, who was Makepekepe’s head coach during that time.
At CAPS United, Stanford rubbed shoulders with the club’s legends such as the late Shacky “Mr Goals” Tauro, Stanford “Stix” Mutizwa, Friday “Breakdown” Phiri (late), and William Chikauro.
That CAPS United side also had the late trio of Joel “Jubilee” Shambo, Charles “Raw Meat” Sibanda and Stanley “Sinyo” Ndunduma.
His younger brother, Owen, also played in the local Premiership football in the 1990s, where he featured for the now-defunct side Rufaro Rovers under the late John Nyamasoka.
Legendary sportscaster and football commentator Charles “CNN” Mabika said Stanford Nhunhama “was criminally underrated as a player.”
“I had the pleasure of watching Stanford Nhunhama while he was turning out for CAPS United in the early 1980s.
“He was a gifted midfielder who fought for a place in CAPS United’s midfield department with fellow supremely talented players Stanford “Stix” Mutizwa, Joel “Jubilee” Shambo and Dickson Ngwanya.
“He was a hard-working defensive midfielder who loved to join in the attack, especially from set-pieces and he scored a couple of goals from that.
