Online Reporter
Sports Reporter
ZIFA board member Brighton “PanJap” Ushendibaba celebrated his 39th birthday at a luncheon in Harare yesterday.
The luncheon, among other things, turned into an informal review of the Warriors’ participation at the 2025 AFCON finals.
It was graced by ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi in what was his first public appearance since his return from Morocco.
Warriors cheerleaders − Chris “Romario” Musekiwa and Chemhofela − who were in Morocco for the AFCON finals, also attended the luncheon.
Ushendibaba bankrolled the trip and accommodation of many of the local fans who were in Morocco.
It was hosted by businesswoman Wanisayi “Mahwindo” Mutandwa, who was also part of the delegation of fans who were in Morocco for the AFCON finals.
Mahwindo, who is one of the leading female arts promoters in the country, is a close friend of Ushendibaba.
“Brighton is more than a brother to me, he has made me the person that I am today, the businesswoman who I am today and he was behind my trip to Morocco.
“Our boys tried their best in Morocco, with a few twists here and there we would have gone very far and the good thing is that we have a base to build a team for the future.
“I had planned to have this birthday party in Morocco because I was so sure that we would still have been there by now but things changed but we could not stop the party.”
Members of the Real Stars Academy, whose players represented many of the domestic Premiership clubs, also attended the luncheon.
Most of the discussion, among the guests, was on the Warriors’ performance in Morocco.
Birthday boy Ushendibaba thanked Mahwindo for the surprise birthday.
“I want to thank my sister Mahwindo for this big surprise, it means that there are some people who still care for me and that is very important in life.”
Former Warriors ‘keeper Gift Muzadzi and ex-Dynamos ‘keeper Zondai Nyaungwa also attended the luncheon.
Nyaungwa told the guests he would probably have been living a miserable life if Ushendibaba had not roped him to work at his company.
Picture: Munashe Chikodza
