IN the gold mining town of Shamva, football is more than a weekend pastime.
It is the community’s pulse.
And for years, that pulse was driven by the rhythm of Barnabas Mushunje’s feet.
On Saturday at Wadzanayi Stadium, it became clear that while the mercurial midfielder may no longer be orchestrating play in the flesh, his spirit remains the undisputed captain of Simba Bhora's soul.
A commemorative match between Simba Bhora and newly promoted Agama at the renovated stadium was more than a pre-season friendly. It was a bridge between the present and a painful past.
Fittingly, the game was decided by a moment of individual brilliance — a clinical second-half free-kick from Blessing Moyo that nestled into the back of the net. The 1-0 victory felt like a scripted tribute to Mushunje, a man who built his reputation on such moments of technical grace.
Yet, as both teams lifted floating trophies at the final whistle, the scoreline felt secondary.
"His death came to us as a shock," said Tonderai Ndoro, Simba Bhora’s vice-president and the visionary behind the event.
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"As the directors of the club, we felt we needed to do something to honour him. His family is always in our thoughts. Although we cannot do everything for them, we decided to do what we can."
Four years ago, the domestic football fraternity was plunged into mourning when Mushunje’s life was cut short in a tragic car accident as he travelled back to Shamva to rejoin his teammates.
On Saturday, Wadzanayi was heaving with supporters who had not forgotten the man they affectionately called “Ngwendeza”.
The event turned tragedy into tangible support for those he left behind. All proceeds from the match were donated to Mushunje’s widow, Nicole, and his two young children. In a moving pledge, Ndoro also committed to paying primary school fees for the midfielder’s two sons.
The afternoon’s most poignant moment arrived at halftime.
Mushunje’s sons — aged four and eight — stepped onto the pitch. As they took a ceremonial kick that sent the ball rippling into the net, the stadium erupted. For a fleeting moment, the ‘Ngwendeza magic’ returned to the grass.
For former teammate and close friend Tinashe “Maswerasei” Balakasi, the day was a bittersweet reunion. Balakasi, who helped fire Simba Bhora to promotion before moving to Agama, remembered a man who led through honesty.
"One thing I admired most about Barnabas was that he was very frank," he said.
"He spoke his mind openly, but always with care. He encouraged the team to stay united and fight together. He brought us together—and that is why he is loved so much"
Balakasi thanked the Simba Bhora hierarchy for the gesture.
"I’m happy with this. It shows they still remember and respect him. Seeing his family here brought back memories, and we thank God for that. I want to thank those who came today to support this event and I'm sure Barna is looking from above with a smile."
As the shadows lengthened across Wadzanayi, the unity Simba Bhora prides itself on was on full display.
The club did not simply honour a former player — they looked after a brother.
If Saturday proved anything, it is that Barnabas Mushunje has not left Wadzanayi Stadium. He is simply watching from a higher vantage point.
And as she walked away from the media interview, Ndoro hinted this was not a one-off farewell.
The commemorative match is set to become an annual tradition — ensuring that as Simba Bhora climbs the heights of domestic football, they carry the memory of their fallen star with them.
