adminTakudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
IRENE “Mai Karima” Mahlanzi — one of the few women who ventured into football administration in this country — who died at the weekend, will be buried at Glen Forest Cemetery today. She was 61. The former Black Rhinos vice chairperson died at her home at No. 7 Denmark Road in Milton Park on Friday evening after a short illness.
Mahlanzi also financed coach Moses “Bambo” Chunga’s trip to the Netherlands where he obtained his first coaching badge.
She is survived by three children — two boys and a girl — and two grandchildren.
Many local fans and administrators were by yesterday still in shock over the untimely death of the former colourful football administrator.
Former Motor Action chief of protocol Simeon “Buju” Jamanda said it was a great loss to the Zimbabwean football family.
“We are saddened by the early departure of Mai Karima. Her contribution to soccer in this country and will never be forgotten.
“She was a ‘mother-figure’ to us and she was very supportive of soccer which saw her becoming the first black woman to be involved in top-flight men’s football administration.
“We will not manage to fill the void that she has left as she managed to transform Black Rhinos into a formidable side while she was the club’s chief sponsor.
“I had the opportunity to work with her while I was at the Mighty Bulls (Motor Action) and you could see that there is a person with football at heart.”
Mahlanzi was part of the Black Rhinos team that had Elliot Kasu, Chris Chitsindi and Edward Chagonda, among others, as the army side’s administrators.
Online Reporter