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Takudzwa Chitsiga
Sports Reporter
ZIFA Northern Region Soccer League chairman Martin Kweza yesterday described the death of PAM FC coach Austin Mashanda as a big blow to the Division One game.
Mashanda (45) passed away on Tuesday night at Banket Hospital where he was admitted two weeks ago.
Kweza yesterday led his region in mourning the passing of the coach.
The NRSL boss said he had known Mashanda for close to a decade through football, and believes the region has lost one of the coaches who had a promising future.
“As a region, we have lost a very nice guy who was good and very sociable. Ever since I came to know him, his life revolved around football.
“He was committed to his work, starting at Banket United, where he spent more than four years, and at PAM FC where he had several seasons.
“He was a passionate, promising young coach, who was approaching his prime. It is a great loss to the region and Mashonaland West province where he used to mainly operate from.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time of bereavement,” said Kweza. The youthful coach succumbed to lung complications, which resulted in him getting admitted to Banket Hospital after their game against Karoi United.
Apart from PAM, Mashanda also had coaching stints with Omnia and Banket United.
Family spokesperson Robert Mukombwe said they were at a loss for words to describe the passing on of his brother.
“We have lost a friend, brother, and family man. He started to complain about dizziness soon after the match against Karoi United some two weeks ago where they came up with a draw.
“We thought it was something minor, but in the evening, he was rushed to the hospital and was admitted.
“He stayed in the hospital for a week and was discharged last Tuesday, and we had thought he was recovering.
“On Thursday last week he was readmitted after his condition deteriorated and on Tuesday night, he passed away.
“We are saddened and we are poorer without him,” said Mukombwe.
Mashanda was a former GMB Silo player whose career was cut short after an accident.
Mashanda is survived by his wife, daughter Ellen, and two sons Austin (Junior) and Edison. Mourners are gathered at 912 Medium Density, Banket.
Burial has been set for tomorrow.
Meanwhile, army side Rhinos bounced to league duties with an emphatic 3-1 victory over newboys Zambezi at Heart Stadium.
Rhinos were absent from the weekend Match Day 10 programme as the bulk of their squad had travelled to Gaborone as part of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Select side that played against their Botswana counterparts.
Online Reporter