Ex-Zim Saints players mourn legend Tshuma

Sport
SOME former Zimbabwe Saints players have paid tribute to teammate Max “Shaluza” Tshuma who passed away at Mpilo Central Hospital on Friday late afternoon.

SOME former Zimbabwe Saints players have paid tribute to teammate Max “Shaluza” Tshuma who passed away at Mpilo Central Hospital on Friday late afternoon.

Fortune Mbele Sports Reporter

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Tshuma, who played for Zimbabwe Saints in the 1970s, died at the age of 62 after he was admitted at Mpilo last Sunday complaining of sores and in the mouth and throat.

Philemon Dangarembwa, paid his condolences to Tshuma’s family and the country’s football fraternity, saying a great leader had gone.

“We played together at Zimbabwe Saints in the mid-70s and we stayed in same area in Mzilikazi. He was my captain. We have lost a great player and a great leader. I feel very sorry for the family. It is very sad indeed,” Dangarembwa said.

Another former Zimbabwe Saints player Peter Kaviza said it was unfortunate that the former great players were only being recognised after their demise.

“What a loss. Tshuma was a great player who was very talented. It is a great loss. It’s only sad that people recognise great players when they have gone.

“He was a prolific midfielder. I owe my playing in the Saints first team to him because when he returned from South Africa at Moroka Swallows, he was the one who looked for asking, where is that boy that I left with the juniors? And that was how I made it,” Kavisa said.

Former Saints defender Ben Makadzange said he went to see the late Tshuma on Friday afternoon and the football legend’s condition had deteriorated.

“I went to see him yesterday. It was bad. It is very painful losing a hero, a player who also played for the national team. I played with him at Zimbabwe Saints with the likes of Ebson Muguyo and Onias Musana. He was a talented midfielder. He was also my captain. We have lost a hero,” Makadzange said.

Tshuma’s sister Thandi, yesterday morning said they were due to meet later in the afternoon to finalise her brother’s burial arrangements.

Another sister Gertrude Mashayamombe, at house 8466 Nkulumane Glenkara, where mourners are gathered said Tshuma was admitted at Mpilo last Sunday until his death on Friday.