Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube
THE football boots are finally hung up for good. Former Highlanders winger Benjamin “Benjie” Mpofu will be buried this Monday at Lady Stanley Cemetery after passing away on May 10 at the age of 76.
Mpofu, a household name in the golden days of Bosso, died after battling several health complications, including a stroke.
“He had many complications at the end and succumbed to that,” said his niece, Franscina.
Born on 10 October 1948 in Bulawayo, Mpofu lit up the wings in an era stacked with talent — rubbing shoulders with greats like Tommy Masuku, Christopher “Bha(wa)” Sibanda, Isaac Mafaro and Cavin Duberley.
His only sister, Betty Brooker, who has been living abroad for over 60 years, recalled an emotional childhood memory. “Benjie had delayed speech as a child. After surgery, his first words were ‘Sis Betty’ — and he never stopped calling me that for the rest of his life.”
Mpofu’s football journey began at Lobengula Primary in Mzilikazi before he moved on to Mahlabezulu and Mzilikazi High School. There, he played alongside legends like Paul “Staff Nurse” Tsumbe and Billy Sibanda.
His club career kicked off in the mid-60s with Eastern Brothers — a side boasting future stars like Barry Daka and Cosmas Zulu. But it was a controversial fallout within the club that saw Mpofu and others, including Daniel ‘Dididi’ Ncube, cross over to
Highlanders in a move that bolstered Bosso’s rise.
Mpofu helped Bosso gain promotion in 1970, tasted relegation heartbreak in 1971, and redemption with a return to glory in 1973 — lifting the Chibuku Trophy and sealing three regional league titles in a row.
He later worked at Kango and ended his career quietly as a florist in the city.
His childhood friend and teammate Billy Sibanda paid tribute: “He was immensely talented. We started together at Mzilikazi, and he remained humble and skilled throughout.”
Mpofu is survived by his widow Daisy (née Dube), two daughters, and several grandchildren.
On Monday, the city will bid farewell to one of its football sons, a man who ran the wings with pride and left a legacy stitched in black and white.
Bongani Ndlovu