The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Sports Reporter —
A GALAXY of yesteryear football stars is expected to descend on Sakubva stadium tomorrow (Saturday) to take part in the inaugural Johnson Mbaradza Memorial where they will curtain raise for the main Under 17s tournament final.
Family members, retired football players and those who were coached by the late Mbaradza came up with the initiative to honour the departed gritty defensive midfielder. A football match pitting former Tanganda players up against those that played in the top flight league but have links to Mutare will be played tomorrow as a curtain raiser to the Under 17 competition that will feature 14 junior football teams based in Mutare.
The Under 17s tournament starts today (Friday) at various sports grounds in Sakubva including Chisamba grounds, Sakubva Primary and Sports Oval, Rural Camp Sakubva where preliminary round matches will be played ahead of the final at Sakubva stadium.
Matches start at 8am.
Mbaradza died in a car crush on December 9, 1997.
Gumiso, Ephraim Chawanda, Lazarus ‘Mali’ Muhoni, Kennedy Suwari, Emmanuel Maluwa, Arnold Tsunga, Chisingaitwi Mudefi, Taurai Makukutu, Dananai Chinowawa, Eddie Dube, Eddie Nyika, Shepherd Nkata and Peter Masibera are among the list of former players that are expected to grace the occasion.
Blessing Gumiso, one of the yesteryear stars who was heavily involved in the preparations of the tournament, said they are expecting a number of retired players who played alongside the late Mbaradza to grace the event.
“We are expecting yesteryear stars to come in their numbers. In fact we have had confirmation of attendance from a number of players that used to play alongside the late Johnson Mbaradza.
“He was a great player whom we cannot afford to forget just like that hence this initiative. We hope this will also be done for all other players that put Mutare on the map especially those that featured for Tanganda because that is the team that achieved most and represented Mutare very well.”
Donations are pouring towards the successful hosting of the memorial tournament.
South African based Mutare football benefactor, James ‘Hwetu’ Meya, who is managing a number of players from his hometown plying their trade in the domestic Premiership, has since donated a kit, 20 balls and 30 bibs towards the prizes to be won during the tournament. Former Tanganda player and prominent legal practitioner Tsunga and Mai Hondo tournament organiser Blessing Mutsaka among other have also handed donations toward the tournament.
Spokesperson for the tournament, Panganai Mbaradza, son to the late Johnson, said all is set for the tournament.
“We are excited to announce that all is set for the tournament. The response has been great given the prevailing harsh economic conditions. We got a lot of support from people he played football with as well as those that he coached who include James Lunga Meya. We really appreciate that help.
“The tournament kicks off on Friday with preliminary round matches being played at various centres across Sakubva. The finals will be played at Sakubva stadium on Saturday,” said Mbaradza.
