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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
FOOTBALL legend Willard Mashinkila Khumalo will be buried at Lady Stanley Cemetery in Bulawayo tomorrow morning. Family spokesman and former Highlanders’ chairman Ernest “Maphepha” Sibanda said the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) had assented to their request for the late midfield maestro to be buried at Lady Stanley Cemetery.
“We want to thank BCC for allowing us lay Willard to rest at Lady Stanley. It’s a befitting tribute to a football hero, who touched many lives with his immense and totally unrivalled talent,” said Sibanda.
Lady Stanley Cemetery is a burial site for respected citizens of Bulawayo who, during their lives, contributed to its development in a big way.
The family has revealed that funeral proceedings will begin with a church service at McDonald Hall in Mzilikazi at 8AM before Khumalo’s body is taken to the nearby Barbourfields Stadium, a venue that propelled him to stardom.
The funeral cortege will then head to Khumalo’s final resting place at Lady Stanley Cemetery.
Football administrators, players, former players and fans are expected to throng McDonald Hall and Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow to bid farewell to one of the greatest talents to ever grace Zimbabwean football.
Sibanda appealed to well wishers to donate towards funeral expenses as they were anticipating a huge turnout at the funeral.
“Any donation will go a long way in assisting us. We are aware that Khumalo was a celebrity and therefore a lot of people will obviously come for the funeral, hence our appeal to meet funeral costs like feeding the mourners. We are grateful to Nyaradzo (funeral parlour) who have donated four big tents and two buses,” said Sibanda.
Khumalo’s body will be taken to the family’s S22 Mzilikazi home where it will rest overnight.
Online Reporter