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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
NGEZI Platinum Stars goalkeepers’ coach Cosmas ‘‘Tsano’’ Zulu has mourned the passing away of his former teammate Steve ‘‘The Dude’’ Kwashi, who died at his home in Harare in the early hours of Monday due to Covid-19 complications.

He was 67.

In a brief condolence message, Tsano, who was part of the Kwashi-led technical team that went with the Under-17 national team to the Africa Cup of Nations in Guinea in 1999, said news of Kwashi’s death left him badly shaken.

“We played together at Mashonaland United (Zimbabwe Saints) in the 70s. I remember in 1999 we were the first technical team together with Weekly Mwale to take the Under-17 national team to the Africa Cup of Nations in Guinea. Of all the things I will miss about him is his calmness, which is another word for confidence. Confidence was faith and action in you, rest easy Dude,” said Zulu.

Cosmas ‘Tsano’ Zulu

Before his death, the veteran coach, who led Caps United to their first league title since Independence in 1996, had been down for two decades with permanent physical disabilities he sustained in a horrific car crash in March 2001, while returning from a Premiership match against Hwange.

The tragedy left him in a coma for close to seven months. He also experienced memory loss following severe injuries to his head.

Kwashi relied on his family for support for 20 years, as he struggled for speech and other routine physical activities like walking.

Caps United said Kwashi’s name will forever be emblazoned in the annals of the club’s history, as they reflected on the big role he played during one of the club’s finest hours in 1996.

Apart from ending a 17-year-old league drought, the star-studded Caps United side also bagged a number of silverware, including the Charity Shield, BP Cup and the Independence Trophy.