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Petros Kausiyo
SEVEN years after his sudden death shook the domestic and South African football landscape, friends and family will this morning converge at Glen Forest cemetery in Harare to celebrate Edzai Kasinauyo’s life and unveil his tombstone.
Kasinauyo died at a Johannesburg hospital on June 16 in 2017.
For ex-Dynamos, Mwana Africa and Kaizer Chiefs centre back Thomas Sweswe; “Edzai was more of a father, more of a brother and an elder in football.
“I first met him at Rufaro just after we had played in the Champions League with Dynamos in 2008 and he said he had been following my game.
“He told me he was eager to secure me a deal outside Zimbabwe, and was cognisant that time was not my side as I was 28 at that time.
“He was such an honest guy who guided me accordingly, and was behind my acquisition of the house I bought in Waterfalls.
“He was someone, who always discouraged careless spending and I would say in a way, he was stingy but stingy for the right reasons. We continue to miss him but the lessons and words he taught me still linger” Sweswe said.
Family spokesperson and cousin to the late, Kuda Chidemhe, said the occasion would bring a flood of memories of the moments they shared with a man described as a leader and pillar of the Kasinauyos.
“There is pain, there is still hurt among family but at the same time there is that joy as family about the tombstone unveiling and beautifying his final resting place.
“This ceremony is bringing so many memories from 2017 and prior because even though there were others who were older than him in the family, he was the leader.
“When Edzai passed on, his sons (Jayden and Justin) were still very young but now they understand more about the Kasinauyo legacy, which their father built and they are happy to honour him. They played a role in the planning of this event shows that they are growing and I am sure Edzai continues to guide them from wherever he is,” Chidemhe said.
Ex-Zimbabwe skipper Willard Katsande revealed that he was literally plucked from obscurity by Kasinauyo and was set on a path to the legendary status he now enjoys at Kaizer Chiefs.
“Edzai was a father figure to us, especially me. He took me from Mutare where I can say I was counted as a bench-warmer.
“He saw me playing for Highway at Rufaro and came to me and said he needed to talk to me,” recalled Katsande.
“From then on, my life just changed, then I am off to Harare and then he took me to SuperSport for trials, SuperSport to Cape Town and we were just waiting for the results, fortunately at Ajax they responded quickly and then from Ajax he took me to Kaizer Chiefs.
“What I just remember of him is how he changed my life, for me to be celebrated here in South Africa and back home was because of him. Without him I don’t know if I was going to leave Mutare.
“So, he played a huge role in my career and not only me but a lot of players that I can count. At some point in the ABSA Premiership there were 23 Zimbabweans and 19 or 20 of them were under Edzai.
“He was the bridge for us to come to South Africa, so he left a big void and since he left, I think even the numbers of players leaving Zimbabwe to come to South Africa also decreased.
“We say it is not only the Kasinauyo family who lost a hero but also the football fraternity lost a giant, who was the key for lots of careers in Zimbabwe to make it in South Africa.
“Being in SA also made our national team stronger because it exposed players and helped them to adapt to what is out there.
“Yes, it has been close to eight years or so without him but I hope with this tombstone unveiling everybody is going to pay their respects to a hero who changed lots of lives, who made sure a lot of layers achieve their dreams.
“I also pay tribute to his wife (Faith) who was the pillar and never looked down on us whenever Edzai invited us to his house while we were transiting to go for trials. We know some wives can try to make life difficult for the husband but Edzai’s wife understood his vision, his work and was aways supportive and was more like a mother to us,” Katsande said.
Former Gunners skipper Zhaimu Jambo was one of three local players along with Knowledge Musona and Sweswe whom Kasinauyo sealed deals to take them to Kaizer Chiefs at the same time in 2009.
“I remember vividly that Edzai had the wisdom of understanding a player’s life especially after football and he always preached investments and wise spending.
“He guided me in life and because of him, I bought a house from my signing on fees at Chiefs. He kept on telling us to always think about life after football and I am glad I am imparting what he taught me to the young players who come to South Africa now.
“Edzai opened the doors for a lot of players due to his relationships with most of the South African clubs and coaches. He was the go-to-person for most players because he was more than just a manager but a real big brother,” Jambo said.
Sharif Mussa interacted with Kasinauyo during his playing days for the Warriors and said he found him to be an affable character.
“What a great man, awesome personality and great character. He was scaled great heights in all aspects of his life as a player manger and administrator unfortunately God’s plans and man’s plans are different and we have to accept that it is fate,” he said.
“We have to cherish those moments and memories we had of interacting with him from my time with the Warriors when he was a player, excellent, very disciplined and always punctual,” Mussa said.
Online Reporter