Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere
Zanu-PF Central Committee member Cde Mabutho Moyo has said the ruling party believes the late Highlanders Football Club chairman and Premier Soccer League (PSL) vice-chairman Retired Colonel Kenneth Mhlophe, vice-chairman Sifiso Siziba and treasurer Nkani Khoza deserve State recognition for their immense contribution to Zimbabwean football.
The three senior Bosso executives died in a tragic road traffic accident along the Bulawayo-Harare Road on Thursday night, plunging one of the country’s biggest football institutions into mourning during its centenary year.
Speaking on Friday, Cde Moyo, a staunch Highlanders supporter, said the trio had served Highlanders and Zimbabwean football with distinction and their contribution merited national recognition.
“We believe the three late Highlanders executive members deserve State recognition for the dedicated service they rendered to Highlanders Football Club and Zimbabwean football,” he said.
His remarks came as the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture and Zanu-PF confirmed that they had formally initiated a request for the three administrators to be accorded State-assisted funerals.
The move follows an outpouring of grief from Government, football authorities, clubs and supporters across the country, with many describing the deaths of Mhlophe, Siziba and Khoza as a huge loss to Zimbabwean sport.
derick.khumalo