Football stakeholders mourn Maseko
THE Zimbabwe Football Stakeholders Forum yesterday conveyed their message of condolence to the Maseko family following the death of seasoned administrator Richard Maseko.
Maseko passed away on Monday in Bulawayo after a long illness.
In a statement yesterday, Zimbabwe Football Stakeholders Forum chairman Francis Zimunya Nyamutsamba described Maseko, who began his journey in football in the early 1960s, as a legend who played a huge role in the development and transformation of the game.
“It is with great sorrow and sadness to receive the news of the passing on of our football administration legend and financial expert Dr Richard Maseko who passed away on the 8th of January, 2024, in Bulawayo after a long illness.
“Dr.Richard Maseko started his football career in Masvingo in early 60s as a player and was involved in the football association as it transformed itself from the amateur status to Rhodesia National Football League RFNL led by George Kerr up to the formation of the Zimbabwe Foot-ball Association (ZIFA) under John Madzima.
“He was the secretary general of the National Amateur District Leagues led by the veteran nationalist Michael Mawema in the 1960s.
“He worked for the Ministry of Finance and was sent on a scholarship to Canada. When he came back, he continued to serve ZIFA in the finance sub-committee and became the ZIFA internal auditor.
“He was appointed by ZIFA as the Dynamos interim chairman and for Dynamos caretaker chairman and became a ZIFA life member. He contributed immensely towards the development of football in Zimbabwe. He was a father figure to all footballers who provided wise counsel to football,” said Nyamutsamba.
Maseko was a ZIFA honorary life member. He was involved in football together with his wife Eusebia Maseko, who is also honorary life member of the association.
Nyamutsamba said the country has been robbed of a patriotic football administrator.
“The country has been robbed of a patriotic and dedicated football administrator and financial expert and leader who has nurtured and mentored many players and football leaders.
“He leaves us at a time when football reforms and the normalisation of our game are taking place.
“His contributions towards the restructuring of football, which is set for a new transformation, will sadly be missed. We were looking forward to his wise counsel and advice during this new football dispensation, but the Almighty God has made His Call. The void that our football icon has left will be difficult to fill.
“As a football community, we say go well, our father and legend, the football legends left be-hind, will continue with the task of rebuilding our beautiful game.”