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Simeon Ndlovu

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
FORMER Hwange FC midfield general Simeon Ndlovu has died. He was 40. Ndlovu, who also had stints with Zimbabwe Saints, died on Wednesday night at Hwange Colliery Hospital where he had been admitted for a week for an undisclosed ailment.

Family spokesperson and younger brother Godfrey said Simeon was a fun-loving family man, who loved the game.

“We are still trying to come to terms with his death. It’s a blow to the family,” said Godfrey.

He said his brother would be laid to rest at Madumabisa Cemetery tomorrow.

Affectionately known as Pablo, Simeon played for one of the finest Hwange sides, then known as Wankie, under the late Zambian gaffer Jones Chilengi.

Their line-up had the likes of captain Tabonisa Ncube, goalkeepers Witness Munkuli and Chenjerai Dube, defender Brian Njobvu and Nation Dube, as well as midfielder Tavaka Gumbo. Former Soccer Star of the Year Walter Chuma was also part of the squad.

Gifted with immense ball distribution skills, the former Fatima High School pupil later left Hwange to join Zimbabwe Saints, who were then coached by Gibson Homela. His blossoming career was cut short at the age of 24 by a nagging ankle injury in 2000.

He then enrolled at the United College of Education in Bulawayo to train as a teacher, but could not go the distance, abandoning the teaching career for mining where he worked as a learner surveyor at Hwange Colliery Company.

His death comes hard on the heels of another former Hwange player David “Dhidhidhi” Khumalo.

Simeon is survived by wife Faith and three children Dennis (18), Ryan (17) and Rose (2).

Mourners are gathered at P16 Lusumbami Village in Hwange.