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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Sports Reporter
FORMER Highlanders, Masvingo United and Njube Sundowns midfielder Maphias Webb will be buried at Lady Stanley Cemetery in Bulawayo this morning.
Brother and family spokesperson, Milton confirmed the burial place last night. He said the funeral service will start at 9am today at 50217 EmaNdebele Flats, Mpopoma before mourners proceed to Lady Stanley.
“We’ll then depart for burial at Lady Stanley Cemetery at 10:30AM,” said Milton. Asked on what criteria was used for the late Maphias to be buried at the shrine, Milton said;
“I don’t know anything about that, all that was organised by Gift Banda,” said Milton.
Banda is the Bulawayo City Council deputy mayor and former owner of now defunct Njube Sundowns. He was not answering his phone last night.
Former Bulawayo mayor and the ruling Zanu-PF Politburo member Joshua Malinga said Lady Stanley Cemetery was reserved for people who have rendered outstanding service to the city of Bulawayo.
“Age is not an issue,” said Malinga.
According to the Bulawayo City Council report of May 2015 on who qualifies to be buried at Lady Stanley Cemetery, “…person must have made an outstanding contribution to the well-being of the community as a whole in one or more of the fields of social activities, civic matters, education, religious leadership, business leadership, sport, charity, journalism, outstanding donations (in kind or cash) outstanding trade unionism leadership, invention which benefited the community as a whole and any other outstanding contribution as may be deemed appropriate from time to time”.
Prominent politicians buried at the shrine include Zipra cadres Lookout Masuku and Thenjiwe Lesabe. On the civic front, water activist Arnold Payne comes to mind while the iconic Adam Ndlovu is the most well known sports personality who was laid to rest there.
Maphias collapsed and died after a soccer match at Bango Grounds in Mpopoma on Sunday and an autopsy report revealed that the likeable character succumbed to suffocation caused by overgrown lungs.
As a player Webb, who died aged 38, played for Mthala Juniors, Phinda Mzala, East Rovers, Wanderers and Masvingo United in the early stages of his career. At Mthala, Maphias captained the likes of Bekithemba ‘Super’ Ndlovu and Richard ‘Dabuka Express’ Choruma.
At 19, he was invited to Highlanders by then coaches Madinda Ndlovu and Rahman Gumbo to fill the gap left by Zambian Jones Mulenga.
During his short stint with Bosso, he played alongside Amon Chimbalanga, Lenny Gwata (both now late), Johannes Tshuma, Triangle coach Kelvin Kaindu, the late Mercedes ‘Rambo’ Sibanda and Lovemore ‘Magents’ Ncube.
At the time of his death, Maphias was assistant coach to Philani ‘Beefy’ Ncube at the Zifa Southern Region Division One outfit Bulawayo City.
He is survived by wife, Sichelesile Moyo and two children, Melissa, 16, and two year-old Maphias Junior.
Online Reporter