admin
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
FORMER footballers based in Bulawayo have described the late Friday Phiri as a level headed person who was in a class of his own both on and off the field.
Phiri, popularly known as “Ameyenge or Breakdown”, passed away at his home in Glen Norah, Harare last Friday after struggling with liver cancer.
Former Zimbabwe Saints player and coach, Gibson Homela described Phiri as a cool, easy-going player who was committed to the game and a very good striker.
“He exuded level-headedness which was quite different from most players and quiet but was a very good striker and got most of his goals from his head as he used to take advantage of his height to win aerial battles. He was certainly a thorn in the flesh for many defenders,” said Homela who played against Phiri while turning out for Zimbabwe Saints.
Cosmas “Tsano” Zulu said Phiri once left a bitter taste when he scored from an acute angle deep into the dying stages of a cup final to deny them glory.
“He broke our hearts when we played them in one cup final but I don’t exactly remember which cup it was by scoring towards the end of the game.
Peter Nkomo relaxed as he thought the ball had gone out and there was no way he (Friday) could score because of the acute angle but he shocked us when he managed to boot it in with his left foot.
“He was really a gentleman who got along with everyone irrespective of the team you came from, he had friends at Highlanders and Zimbabwe Saints despite being opponents,” he said.
Former Highlanders defender and manager, Lawrence “Lofty” Phiri remembered Friday for his appearances for Bosso during the annual matches when they played against the Soccer Stars.
“He was always willing to come and join us for the game against the soccer stars and we created friendships then. We had a generally good and close relationship with Caps United and they would even use Barbourfields as their home ground when playing us (Highlanders) and even beat us,” he said.
Douglas “British” Mloyi grew up with “Amayenge” in Mpopoma in Bulawayo, where he did his primary and secondary education. Mloyi and Phiri’s families lived on the same street.
He said Phiri showed talent at a young age as he took up football when he was young.
Mloyi said Amayenge’s first breakthrough came when he joined National Foods from where he moved to Mutare before heading for Caps.
The legends revealed they would be travelling to Harare to attend Phiri’s burial which is set for this morning.
Meanwhile, the Sports and Recreation Commission joined the nation in mourning Phiri, describing his contribution to the national cause as being unquestionable.
“It is with a heavy and broken heart that we received the sad news of the passing on of one of our football greats who donned our football national colours at various international competitions. Amayenge was a dedicated footballer who was always ready to serve whenever called for national duty.
Indeed football has lost a great son and a dedicated servant who will all used to admire. We shall forever cherish his contribution to sport and in particular to football,” the SRC’s acting director general Joseph Muchechetere said in his condolence message.
Online Reporter