07/10/2023
*Mzilikazi FC's Captain and Long Serving Player Dies*
*www.banonews.co.zw*
_Kudakwashe Kutinyo, *BANO News Reporter*_
https://chat.whatsapp.com/GmHPA8p5qus0nEc03Llpe9
LAST year's division two champions Mzilikazi FC and the Mzilikazi community have plunged into mourning after the untimely passing on of their utility player Zinzile Khumalo popularly known as Mazie, BANO can reveal.
Speaking in an interview, Mzilikazi FC administrator Mayfield Daka expressed his heart felt condolences and described the late Mazie as a unique and rare individual.
"Zinzile Mazie Khumalo was different from other boys from that community, he was a long serving player and captain at Mzilikazi football club that won the championship and he had Great potential and was workaholic and never missed training,what can I say we lost good player and leader and the Heavens have gained", he said.
Mr Bornface Nyongo who is also among the coaching department described the late Mazie as a good listener and a hard worker.
"I don't have much to say because I'm so hurt, Mazie was a good guy nomatter how hard things would be, even if you shouted at him during training he would stay cool, a well disciplined young boy who worked hard during training he was always up for new challenges. He was different from others he would come early for games and we ever had a problem with him. I am shocked, I can't believe but such is life MHSRIP", said coach Nyongo.
One of the senior players Malvin Mavado Nyamugure who played most of the games with the late Mazie said he was a good character, who would motivate others in camp.
"He was a good guy, he would not choose but instead he saw us equal and treated us with equality, a player who would push for better results, and well disciplined. He was one of my favourite players in the team, what a good brother and friend we had".
Mazie was part of the dream team that made history by winning the division two championship last year and was also awarded with the "longest serving player award" during awards giving ceremony held which were held at the Mzilikazi youth centre.
Mzilikazi FC coach Digital "Ten" Huni narrated how Mazie arrived at the team and quickly settled although he was young at that time.
"I would say a lot about mazi since I knew him at the age of 18 when coach Chenge brought him to Sabona Mzilikazi, I was still a player with individuals such as coach Shabba, Widzo, Stanson Mdu, Mbesuma, Maison Jb, Artewell and Swembe".
"Then one day at training coach Chenge brings the small guy and I was like coach you now bring Junior players here how far and he said Digital and Shabba pull up your socks cause this young boy is here to play your positions and we laughed but with time the boy started playing ahead of us, we got angry and shouted at the coach went about 10 games on the bench".
"Deep down I could see that he was a small boy with a big heart very physical and aggressive good ariel strength then coach had no choice but to play us around Mazi I midfield Mazi would do the dirty work with Shabba that season we finished position 8".
He also highlighted how the late Mazie heavily contributed towards the team's success until Division one promotion.
"I became a coach in 2019 and registered Mazi we built our team around him cause we knew his attributes that very season he played alongside Stina Cassa Sanqoba Pele Michael Jopi, Nyango he was the heart of the team most of the guys we against him saying this guy is young but after 2 games you would hear them saying we have a genuine number six and during covid I would ask him skipper are you training alone and he said yes manero am running at thabiso grounds and I would say send me videos and he would laugh".
"Everyone loved Mazi as a team it's so sad to lose a young man who was a change maker in the community a role model who had so much love for the kids and respect we are heartbroken we pray that the family and friends may find comfort in the Lord RIP skipper will always cherish the moments rest easy king till we meet again",said Coach Huni
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