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Fungai Muderere
EX Warriors and CAPS United goalkeeper Edmore “Zikeeper” Sibanda says he was compelled to retire two years ago after picking a serious injury at South Africa’s Motsepe Foundation Championship match where he was then doing duty for Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM).
The heavily built ex-goal minder told South Africa’s Farpost that after a nasty injury that saw him break his jaws, suffer a fracture in his skull, and get his vision affected, he had to call it a day at the age of 35.
“The injury was bad, and it was at a time when the club was facing serious financial challenges. Salaries were not coming,” he told FARPost.
“I had a broken skull, a broken jaw, and my sight was also badly affected. And I really needed specialist doctors to attend to me. The club, TTM, could not help me, but my friends came to chip in. Specialists are expensive. It’s the injury that pushed me to stop playing football. I still wanted to play football. That game against Pretoria Callies was the last match I played, and I was saddened because it’s all I wanted to play,” said the imposing Sibanda.
He revealed that courtesy of the benevolence of his close associates including ex-Warriors, CapsUnited, and Mamelodi Sundowns star Nyasha Mushekwi, assisted him in meeting his medical bill.
“It was tough, but thanks to my friends like Nyasha Mushekwi, who chipped in to help me when I was struggling. So that is how I managed to meet every bill, although I understand how the club was also struggling financially,” he was quoted as saying.
Mushekwi has over the years proved to be a philanthropist. He recently donated football boots estimated at over US$25 000 to his ex-club Caps United ahead of the start of the 2024 local season.
A few years ago, Mushekwi bought a luxurious team bus for Green Machine.
After being forced to step down, Sibanda reportedly took TTM to Fifa over a breach of contract, as they owed him about R 600,000.
As a result, the international football governing body imposed a transfer ban on them until they paid Sibanda.
The embargo was lifted in January 2023 when they finished the payment.
Sibanda, who was known for his ability to take free kicks, has now ventured into coaching in the country. He is the goal minder mentor at Zifa Northern Region One side St Paul’s Musami.
Online Reporter