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Moses Chunga

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
FORMER Bosso and Warriors’ midfield kingpin Willard Mashinkila Khumalo died a very bitter man as he felt football had turned its back on him during his time of need. This was revealed by another Warriors’ legend Moses Chunga in his tribute to Mawii at McDonald Hall yesterday. “Willard said some of the people and institutions he thought were close to him were treating him like someone with leprosy; someone whom they could not be seen close to,” said Chunga. “The last time I met him here in Bulawayo during the Copa Coca-Cola schools’ football tournament, he told me something that hurt me so much.

“He said his heart was bleeding because people that he lived with were now deserting him. He said they were now treating him as if he had leprosy and did not want to be anywhere near him,” said Chunga, who is known for not mincing his words. He said Khumalo had asked him to take care of his son, Dumo, a brilliant footballer, who is part of the Mzilikazi High School Under-17 team. Asked to elaborate later at Lady Stanely Cemetery, Chunga said Khumalo told him that people no longer appreciated his yesteryear works.

“Willard spoke of what he called inhuman treatment from even Highlanders and the game itself. He said people no longer appreciated his yesteryear works and personally I really feel they broke his heart big time. Willard did not deserve to suffer like this, everyone had turned his back on him,” said Chunga. Khumalo’s last employ was at his childhood team Highlanders where he was the first team’s welfare manager until the expiry of his contract in December 2014.

It is believed Khumalo’s medical bills averaged $700 per month. Chunga also blasted Bulawayo-based coaches for pursuing personal and selfish interests instead of uniting for the good of the game. “It’s sad to note that coaches from this region are not really united and that does not do us any good at all as we become susceptible to abuse by administrators.

“What they need to realise is that we are an endangered species and if we continue this infighting instead of helping each other, there might not be anyone left to tell our story in the next couple of years because we will all be dead,” Chunga said. Willard’s younger brother Brian also spoke of the family’s pain. “Maybe if Willard had played or coached football in another era, he could have died a rich man. My brother found it hard to ask for handouts even when those he had served with distinction had turned their backs on him during his time of need,” said Brian.

Omega Sibanda, who was Khumalo’s manager before being voted Zifa vice-president, said it was sad that people were celebrating Khumalo’s life when he was dead yet they abandoned him during his lifetime. “These are some of the players who used to fill up stadiums during their playing days, but where is their pension now?” said Sibanda.