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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS FC coach Kelvin Kaindu says they will dedicate their remaining matches to their late fan Thembelenkosini Hloli who died following violence that erupted soon after the Bulawayo giants’ clash with Dynamos last Saturday. Hloli ,23, was chased by suspected Dynamos fans who allegedly spotted him stoning their car soon after the epic tie at Barbourfields Stadium.
They allegedly chased him all the way to the Renkini Bus Terminus where he tried to jump over a security wall in a bid to escape the charging mob.
Initial reports said he fell on spikes but the family hotly disputed that and a postmortem report vindicated them as it revealed that he was stabbed with a screwdriver and nine people have since appeared in court over his death.
They were all granted $50 bail by a Bulawayo magistrate yesterday.
“It was so touching to us and memories will still be with us as individuals and team, may his dear soul rest in peace,” said Kaindu.
He added, “We will remember him forever and hope to certainly dedicate our matches to him”.
Kaindu on Thursday told our sister paper B-Metro that he feels personally responsible for Hloli’s death.
“I probably take much of the responsibility because its on the day we lost the match that we heard our beloved fan had been killed. I feel so much pain and it will remain part of me now and forever that the team I coach lost a match and not only did they lose the match but went on to lose the life of our brother,” he said.
The entire Highlanders team led by the club’s chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede on Tuesday visited the bereaved family at their Sizinda home.
derick.khumalo