adminPeter Phiri Sports Correspondent
‘‘His death is a big loss and is the one who encouraged me to become Highlanders chairman at the age of 34. Although I was young, Sibanda and others who were much older gave me much reverence. There were times when I felt like calling it quits at Bosso but Sibanda encouraged me to hold on. I owe it to him for what I am today in football,’’ said Zifa vice-president Ndumiso Gumede.
A Highlanders supporter who is the mother of former national team goalkeeper Muzondiwa Mugadza, Sibekiwe Khumalo described Sibanda’s death as untimely.
‘‘His death was very painful and it caught us by surprise. He was like a brother to me and I actually talked to him on Tuesday and only to hear that he had died on Thursday. I remember during our days at Highlanders Royals, a ladies team, he used to help us recruit more players for the club. The void he has left is difficult to fill,’’ said Khumalo.
Former football administrator Vincent Pamire had the people in stitches when he narrated how they used to clash with Sibanda over their beliefs in juju or muthi.
‘‘We used to employ our boys to go and guard Barbourfields Stadium on the eve of Highlanders and Zimbabwe Saints matches. This was done to protect the other from being bewitched through muti. This created a lot of tension between the two of us until the late Douglas Mkwananzi called for an indaba. Mkwananzi called us cowards because of our beliefs and from then on we became close friends with Sibanda until his death,’’ said Pamire.
Said Phineas Ndlovu a former Highlanders player:
‘‘He looked after me and others like his sons since we grew up at his house. He was the leader of the night vigil team ordering us to guard Barbourfields at night so Zimbabwe Saints people could not put their muti on the field. One day we got a thorough hiding from the Zimbabwe Saints night vigil boys who ambushed us. I remember again when he ordered us to carry Bosso players on our backs when we were entering Gweru United’s stadium in Gweru. He suspected that if the players feet touched the ground they would be weakened by Gweru United’s muti. That was Sibanda for you.’’
Jimmy Ncube, the secretary of the Highlanders board said:
‘‘His association with Highlanders started way back and so people cannot talk about the club without mentioning the Mzilikazi boys who came through his hands. Highlanders is what it is today because of him. He taught people like Ali Baba to groom players for Highlanders making the club a big football institution.”
Sam Ncube, life president of East Rovers FC and empowerment activist weighed in with:
‘‘I worked with him in the Peter Ndlovu Soccer Tournament when I was the treasurer and him a committee member. Our friendship started in the early 1980s when he was selling football uniforms for Townshend and Butcher.”
Edward “Sales House” Dzowa a former Bosso leftback and father to Mpumelelo and Nkululeko said:
‘‘I worked with him from 1965 when I was at a club called Hot Tots led by one Sidambe. He was a real gentleman and loved his football,’’ said Dzowa.
Hosea Khumalo a former Bosso administrator, player and friend had this to say:
‘‘He was one of the best football administrators and as a player was just good. I remember how he followed me to school just to persuade me to become a player. He is credited with founding the Highlanders juniors.’’
Victor Mnqobizwe Mthimukulu a friend and former Highlanders official said:
‘‘We grew up together in Mzilikazi and he loved to joke but above all we were very close.’’
Gibson Homela, Saints and Zimbabwe soccer legend added:
‘‘I called him bhudi and he called me mukoma and we appreciated each other. We were one people with no divisions.’’
Ali Baba former Highlanders junior coach:
“I worked very well with him when I inherited the juniors from him in 1974. I feel Highlanders should have given him the number 4 jersey which he used to wear.’’
Peter Leondios, Townshend and Butcher owner:
“He ran his innings well. He was a good man, I worked with him at Townshend and Butcher and also through Bafa. May his soul rest in peace.”
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