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Sports Reporter
FOOTBALL legend Max “Shaluza” Tshuma was buried at West Park Cemetery in Bulawayo yesterday.
Tshuma, 62, died at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo on Friday.According to his family he had been admitted at the hospital for some days and his condition deteriorated and by Thursday last week he was no longer speaking.
The football legend had sores in the mouth and throat.
Speaking on behalf of the football community at a church service yesterday, former Zimbabwe Saints official Vincent Pamire described Tshuma as having been one of the best footballers to emerge from Bulawayo.
“What brought us here is the foundation of football that Shaluza subscribed to. He was a brilliant player during his time, a coach who I consulted during my days as a football administrator and a man of few but positive words. His footballing prowess took him to South Africa and he would have gone far but because of apartheid and sanctions back in the day, it meant that he had to return home,” said Pamire.
Tshuma was born on January 1, 1952 in Guruve, Mashonaland Central Province and attended Lobengula Primary School before proceeding to Mzilikazi High School. His talents shone at an early age as he played football at both primary and secondary school.
The late Tshuma’s football peers include Zebron Magorimbo, Andrew Kadengu, Barry Daka, Victor Dliwayo, Ephraim Moloi and Douglas Maneto.
He played for Zimbabwe Saints juniors and by the mid 1970s he was already a regular at Chikwata.
In 1977 he moved to Moroka Swallows and alternated between Chikwata and Moroka Swallows thereafter. In 1980 after Zimbabwe’s Independence, Tshuma returned home. He was among the pioneering Warriors who won a four-team tournament held to mark the country’s liberation.
An emotional Zebron Magorimbo spoke on behalf of former players. He said Shaluza was a fighter who did not want to lose and they were not surprised to see him snapped up by Moroka Swallows.
“He had a great character on and off the field. On the field he was a motivator, a fighter and a leader who did not want to lose. Even when we were winning 3-0, Shaluza would constantly tell us to raise our game because he did not like people to be complacent. He was my captain from the Under-14s to the senior team. Another thing I remember about Max is that he could be gritty when he wanted but off the field he was a real gentleman. It is because of his skill that he was able to play for Moroka Swallows,” Magorimbo said.
In South Africa he played alongside the great Andreas “SixMabone’’ Maseko, Joel Ace “Mnini”, Maneto and Shadreck Ngwenya and rubbed shoulders with other legends like Jomo Sono, Ryder Mofokeng, Shakes Mashaba, Patson Banda and Ace Ntsoelongoe.
Shaluza’s brother Itai who played for Black Aces and Fire Batteries said they have lost a pillar of the family.
“The death of my brother came as a shock. It is not only a loss to the family but to the football community. He was a perfectionist who hated losing and inspired the younger generation to take the game seriously and enjoy playing soccer.
“We are grateful to the football people and the community that has been supporting us through this time,” Itai said.
Officials and former players from Zimbabwe Saints who attended the funeral include Ebson Sugar Muguyo, Ben Makadzange, Godfrey Paradza, Gibson Homela, Andrew Kadengu, Cosmas Zulu, Tapiwa Mudyambanje and Bernard Mukaratirwa.
Also present were former secretary Martin Mabvira, patron Felix Dzumbunu, Highlanders great Douglas Mloyi, Zifa education officer Brian Moyo and Jabulani Chinyengetere.
Tshuma is survived by wife Otilia Maparura and four children.
derick.khumalo