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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
FORMER Hwange and Monomotapa midfielder-cum-striker Edmore Chitato has died.
He was 34.Chitato died at Parirenyatwa Hospital on Thursday after a long battle with a heart ailment and will be buried this morning in Harare.

Chitato, a bustling left footed striker made his premiership debut with Hwange in 2001 with lanky Weekly Mwale being his coach.

The then star-studded Chipangano had the likes of Aleck Nyoni, Obert “Cobra” Moyo, Chenjerai Dube, Witness Munkuli, Amon Mukozho, Hlanganani Ngwenya, Thabani Maphosa current Hwange coaches Nation Dube and Brian Njobvu.

“We are still in a shock here in Hwange. Eddie was a well behaved player on and off the field and I remember at one time he won the Most Disciplined Player award at the club,” said Mwale.

Mwale, Mukozho and Nyoni were yesterday set to leave for the capital to attend Chitato’s funeral.

Speaking from his South African base, Ngwenya also expressed shock at the death of his former teammate and described him as a gentleman on and off the field of play.

“It’s so sad that Eddie is no more. He was such a gentleman both on the field of play and off it,” said Ngwenya, a mean defender himself.
Chitato’s last post on his Facebook wall showed a man in dire need of financial assistance to offset his ever rising medical bills.

“The war is still on guys, I need your assistance, I need cash for transport (reviews), cash for the doctor plus we are still owing them money from the time I was admitted. We thank you in advance God bless you,” read his post.

He had to sell his car to meet some of his immediate medical bills.

In May, Muzondiwa Mugadza donated cash towards his hospital bills.

Chitato leaves behind a wife, Sibongile Kahondo and two children, a boy and a girl.