Hwange legend Daniel Rendo dies

incomplete without mention of Daniel whose service to the club and game was second to none.

Ncube described Daniel as a hard tackler who put everything into the game whether it was practice or real match. The former striker bemoaned lack of recognition for legends.

“He never liked losing. He was a fighter on the field gifted with a strong heart and commitment to a positive result all the time. He was hard on tackle and took no prisoners among the strikers who faced him.

“He was not my age and when we were coming up in the system he was winding up a career that had won him many accolades. The country must take a stand and take care of its former stars who get forgotten the day they retire,” said the former fiery striker who turned out for Wankie and Chibuku Shumba.

Ncube said any striker facing Daniel knew what to do as contact often resulted in rough play. “To survive you had to beat him at a distance and release the ball quickly as he had pace to recover,” said

Ncube.

Another former rising star in Hwange who made a name for himself in Bulawayo with Highlanders FC and Olympics, Cephas Sibanda whose brother also played for the Colliery side, described Daniel as a great player whose influence in the game had laid a foundation for the team that went on to win two Castle Cup finals in 1970 and 1973.

“He was a great player. His influence in the game was great and laid the foundation for the teams that won the Castle Cup. As we were growing up, we heard about the great defender he was for the club and local league,” said Sibanda.

Among Daniel’s honours were countless Chamber of Mines, Stanley and Livingstone Cup and Southern Africa Mines Games titles that were competed for in South Africa and Zambia.

Paul Moyo a former teammate of Daniel also mourned the death of the legendary figure.

Daniel played alongside James Mwape Sakala, Cyprian Ngoma, Fighton Mumba, Chutika Tembo, Sam Mutende, Daniel Tembo, Masauso Zulu, Buddy Sibanda and his younger brother Amos.

Daniel was at right back while Amos started as a left back before developing into one of the best centre backs ever in the country.

Upon retiring from the game, Daniel kept his job at the Colliery eventually retiring in the 1990s to settle in Jambezi.

He was Chief Shana’s advisor. Hwange Colliery Limited has released a bus to ferry former players to Daniel’s final resting place. Getting Hwange FC promoted back to the Premiership would be a good send off for the legend.