SOS appeal for Wankie FC legend

FORMER Highlanders coach and manager, Silas Ndlovu, under whose leadership in the 1970s Bosso became a force to reckon with has asked for divine intervention to save his former player, Chutika Tembo.

“I supplicate Jehovah to stretch His Healing hand to him,” said Ndlovu a devout Jehovah’s Witness.

Tembo, a former Wankie and Highlanders defence stalwart needs close to US$2 000 for a prostate cancer operation.

This was disclosed last week by former Hwange centreback, Taboniswa Ncube, who has close ties with the legend’s family.

“I have been in touch with the family and the situation is not good. The old man is in pain and in need of cash to undergo the procedure to ease pain. He needs about US$2 000 for transport and the operation.

“He has two options on his lap, one to go to Zambia and the other to proceed to Bulawayo. The figure will cover transport and his medication apart from the operation,” said Ncube.

He is among the forgotten heroes at both Hwange and Highlanders.

He was part of the Wankie Castle Cup winning side of 1973, playing alongside Amos Rendo in defence with Posani Sibanda in goal.

With Highlanders’ shrewd coach, Silas Ndlovu, keen to assemble a team that could have conquered Southern Africa, in 1974, he brought along Barry Daka and Tembo from Wankie to join a team that already had Bruce Grobbelaar, Ananias Dube, Lawrence Phiri, Billy Sibanda, Isaac Mafaro, Itai Chieza, Peter Bepe, Douglas Mloyi, Ephraim Moloi, Josiah Nxumalo and competitors in defence, Zenzo Dabengwa, Boet Van Ays and retiring, James Nxumalo.

Ncube said growing up in Hwange, he heard so much about Tembo and wanted to scale great heights attained by the ailing legend.

“These are the heroes that motivated us in football in the coal mining town. I appeal for those who want to assist this former Wankie and Highlanders hero to get in touch or EcoCash me on 0775 103 818,” said Ncube.