Chronicle Editor
FORMER East Rovers defender Austin ‘Stina’ Ndlovu’s body is expected in the country tomorrow for burial on Saturday morning.
He was 55.
Ndlovu who played for Ingwebu Crackers alongside Dumaza Dube, Agent Sawu and Safi Makwinji-Soma Phiri, died in South Africa on Monday where he had relocated to.
He joined East Rovers in 1989 and played for 11 consecutive years. He was captain of the club at some stage. For all those years at the club he was the captain.
Heavily built, hardworking, Ndlovu was very committed to the game and club where he found employment at Bulawayo Tyres Services owned by former player, coach and club patron Sam Ncube.
Ndlovu used to joke: “I hold the record for being the only player who captained East Rovers for 11 years and played as a rightback as well as being team captain and I have never been substituted.”
When East Rovers was promoted to the First Division after going the whole season without a loss in Division Two, Ndlovu was among the key players.
There will be a church service at St Bernard’s on Saturday morning followed by burial.
East Rovers spokesperson Takawira Madza said the body will be taken to the team’s ground in Pumula East before heading to the cemetery.
Ncube who employed Ndlovu at his tyre company, said Ndlovu’s death was a loss to the community in Pumula and at East Rovers. He said Ndlovu was part of the club’s history and legacy and saved the game of football very well with discipline and commitment.
Ndlovu played alongside Oscar Ncube, Arnold Dube, Patrick Nkiwane, Themba ‘Hloka’ Khumalo, Masita Mpala and the Mbewe brothers Jabu and Mtshumayeli.
Online Reporter