admin
H-Metro Reporters
MOURNERS gathered at two different locations in Harare yesterday amid haggling over where the funeral of Eddie “Mboma” Nyatanga should be held in the capital.
The founding father of the Zimbabwe National Soccer Supporters Association died in Harare on Tuesday at home in Borrowdale Brooke of a suspected heart attack.
He was 63.
However, a dispute emerged yesterday as to where mourners should gather for his funeral.
Some mourners gathered in Borrowdale Brooke, the home he shared with his wife, Angeline.
The other mourners gathered in Mount Pleasant, the house he shared with his first wife, Virginia.
It became clear there was a dispute as to where the mourners should gather for the funeral.
“It appears Mboma was never going to go away without some drama emerging and this is what we are dealing with right now,” said one of the mourners.
“Mboma lived his life to the full and, maybe, it was meant to be that he was never going to go away quietly.
“Of course, a resolution will be found because the elders are dealing with the issue.”
It emerged yesterday that Mboma will be buried at Glen Forest Cemetery, on the outskirts of Harare, on Sunday.
Mboma was a kingmaker in Zimbabwean football politics.
Reports last night said Mboma’s body will lie in state in Borrowdale Brooke tonight and in Mt Pleasant tomorrow before burial on Sunday.
“Burial has been confirmed for Sunday at Glen Forest. We are now gathered in Mt Pleasant but the body will go to Borrowdale Brooke on Friday night, then to Mt Pleasant on Saturday,” Nyatanga’s son, Bruce, told Zimpapers Sport.
Yesterday, ZIFA joined those who are mourning Mboma.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association extends its heartfelt condolences to the entire Zimbabwe football community on the passing of Eddie Nyatanga, founding member of the Zimbabwe National Soccer Supporters Association.
“Eddie was a larger-than-life personality and a pivotal figure in organizing activities for national team fans and rallying support for his beloved Warriors.
“He will be deeply missed by all who had the honour of knowing and working with him.”
Mboma was a very key figure in coordinating activities for national team fans.
Fans also mourned Mboma.
“I am at a loss for words, go well Mudhara Mboma,” said Francis “Captain Franco,” a Makepekepe and Warriors supporter.
United Kingdom-based football writer, Danai Chitakasha, hailed Mboma for his love for the game.
“May his soul rest in peace. He really loved the game,” said Chitakasha.
The chairman of the Zimbabwe Football Stakeholders Forum, Francis Nyamutsamba, said Nyatanga deserved a state-assisted funeral for his unifying role in lifting Zimbabwe’s flag high in football.
“The former Soccer Supporters Association president, who started the National Soccer Supporters Association, was a unifier both within the football community and the nation at large.
“The country has been robbed of a patriotic and dedicated football leader who galvanised support for football around the country.
“His contributions towards football were immense since independence and buoyed the Warriors and the Mighty Warriors to greater success.
“As he has always done in the past, just recently, six months ago, he donated 14 full sets of football uniforms to teams playing football in the Highlands Area Zone, which shows his benevolent character.
“He leaves us at a time when football is set for a new transformation and we will sadly miss his great counsel that he has always provided.”
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter