Online Reporter
ZIMBABWEANS have joined the Roy Barreto family in mourning Highlanders’ former championship-winning coach, who died on Monday evening in Portugal after battling ill-health for a long spell.
Barreto died at the age of 72, leaving behind his wife Fazi and two daughters.
His long-time friend Illan Elkaim confirmed the legendary ex-Warriors and Orlando Pirates.
Elkaim was gutted by the news.
Highlanders yesterday morning sent a condolence message to the family.
Veteran coach Cosmas “Tsano’’ Zulu, who worked as Barreto’s assistant at Highlanders for five years described the former Bosso, Zimbabwe Saints and Orlando Pirates’ title-winning coach as a very good mentor.
Zulu and Barreto were at Highlanders together from 1989 to 1994, a period in which the club won two league titles with the former National Railways of Zimbabwe civil works department foreman as coach.
“Death is a privilege to human nature, we cannot do without it. I am saying go well Roy and assemble another team that will win things in Heaven.
“You have your assistant Barry Daka, Mercedes Sibanda, Willard Khumalo, Rahman Gumbo and many others, come up with a winning team until I join you with Lawrence Phiri,” said Zulu.
Zulu said they were known as the four musketeers when they were at the helm of Highlanders with Lawrence Phiri operating as manager.
He said individual characteristics among the four technical department members had seen each come up with ingredients different from the other to make a winning team.
“As the Four Musketeers we had different attributes, that made us a strong winning team, Barreto was tough, Barry very soft and Lawrence short tempered but knew how to draft things and deal with players well.
“To be honest Barreto was a technical and tactical genius, we have to appreciate that death is God’s arrangement,” said Zulu.
