Another football son gone

THE late Piraishe Mabhena (pictured), a candid football leader whose advocacy for a transparent ZIFA has been hailed by the fraternity, will be buried in Mberengwa tomorrow.

Mabhena, who was the chairperson of the association’s Club Licensing First Instance Body (FIB), died on New Year’s Day at the age of 42.

A church service will be held in Chiredzi today before the body departs for the Mabhena homestead in Mberengwa, where it will lie in state ahead of the former ZIFA board member’s burial tomorrow.

Mabhena became one of the youngest ever ZIFA board members when he was elected into office in December 2015 at the age of 37, a few months after playing a prominent role in the assembly revocation that led to the ouster of former president Cuthbert Dube via a no confidence vote.

He then resigned from the Philip Chiyangwa-led board together with incumbent ZIFA president Felton Kamambo with the duo arguing that their two-year-term had been up and that there was need for a fresh election at the soccer body.

Their arguments eventually paved the way for the 2018 ZIFA polls that swept Kamambo into power.

Mabhena however, did not contest in those elections.

Before serving on the ZIFA board, Mabhena worked in the football trenches as Eastern Region chairperson before becoming boss of the Club Licensing First Instance Body, which is responsible for certifying football stadiums across the country.

He also loved his Premiership outfit Triangle. The Northern Region Soccer League led the condolences yesterday, describing the late Mabhena as a committed football leader whose influence permeated across the length and breadth of the game’s structures.

“He was loved by many and this saw him assuming a position on the ZIFA board at a young age,” said ZIFA Northern Region secretary-general, Sweeney Mushonga.

“Mabhena will be remembered for his clarity of mind on all matters football and his passionate and frank talk on advocating for a transparent ZIFA.

“He was fearless and courageous in his resolve to clean up an association yearning for change. Go well our friend and may your soul rest in eternal peace.”

Mabhena’s father, Reuben, was at a loss for words when The Sunday Mail Sport contacted him yesterday afternoon.

“Piraishe was the backbone of the family. He was somebody who was close to everyone in the family,” he said.

“He was always concerned with family issues. This is a big loss to the family.”

ZIFA applauded Mabhena’s contribution to the game, in a statement released by the spokesperson, Xolisani Gwesela, on Friday.

“In this difficult moment of untold grief for the local football family, his friends, and family, we pray that everyone finds comfort in the knowledge that he has left a huge mark on the face of local football,” wrote Gwesela.

“We draw some solace from the fact that he served the beautiful game with distinction and his legacy shall live on,” said Gwesela, who worked with the late Mabhena in the First Instance Body.

It was a dark week for the football community as the fraternity also lost former Highlanders star midfielder, Richard “Dabuka Express” Choruma, who passed away on Tuesday in South Africa. Choruma died at Tembisa Hospital after battling stomach complications and kidney failure, according to his family.

Prominent businessman and Highlanders and FC Platinum benefactor, Worthwhile Mugabe, also passed away on New Year’s Eve.

“ZIFA would also like to extend sincere condolences to the families of former Highlanders and Warriors midfielder Richard Choruma and businessman and friend of football Worthwhile Mugabe who passed away on New Year’s Eve.

“Death continues to rob football of some of its dedicated personalities. May their dear souls rest in eternal peace,” said the association, in a statement released by Gwesela.

Former Warriors team manager Sharif Mussa also mourned the death of Mabhena.

Mussa, a Confederation of African Football (CAF) General Co-ordinator, had recently joined the ZIFA FIB after Mabhena noted the need to harness the Harare businessman’s expertise.

“It is with shock and sadness that I learned of Piraishe’s untimely death.

“In the period that I knew him, I noted his deep passion for football and the commitment to see our football succeed. He was never one to shy away from expressing his opinion on the state of football and yet remained a fine gentleman of the game. I interacted with him in my capacity as team manager for the Warriors and I remember vividly how he diligently carried out his duty as Head of Delegation when we travelled to Rwanda for the 2016 CHAN tournament.

“More recently we had reunited on the ZIFA Club Licensing and First Instance Board committee which he diligently chaired and was championing the improvement of our facilities across the country.

“I had also chatted with him while he was in the hospital undergoing treatment . . . so sad. Mabhena will no doubt be dearly missed and my sincere condolences to his young family in particular and the football fraternity at large,’’ Mussa said.