Zimbabwean football is in mourning following the tragic death of three Highlanders Football Club executive committee members in a horrific road accident along the Gweru-Bulawayo Road on Thursday evening.
The victims have been identified as Highlanders chairman Retired Colonel Kenneth Mhlophe, vice chairman Fiso Siziba, and treasurer Nkani Khoza. According to both Highlanders FC and the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), the three officials died at the scene of the accident.
An unidentified woman was reportedly travelling in the same vehicle with the three officials at the time of the crash.
In a statement, Highlanders FC said the three men were returning from the club’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League fixture against ZPC Kariba when the accident occurred.
The club described the loss as devastating, saying the trio were “far more than club officials.” It added that they were “the architects of the club’s vision, the guardians of our values, and father figures to so many within the Highlanders Football Club family. Their leadership, wisdom, dedication and unwavering commitment to Bosso will never be forgotten.”
ZIFA confirmed the deaths and expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. ZIFA President Nqobile Magwizi said that Zimbabwean football has lost three devoted servants whose passion and commitment helped shape one of the nation’s greatest football institutions.
He added that the accident was especially painful because it happened during Highlanders FC’s centenary celebrations, a milestone that was meant to celebrate the club’s rich history and achievements.
In its statement, ZIFA said the timing of the tragedy had turned what should have been a year of celebration into a period of profound grief for the Bosso family and the wider football community.
Following the announcement, football clubs from across Zimbabwe joined ZIFA and Highlanders FC in mourning the loss, sending messages of condolence to the bereaved families, the club, players, supporters and the entire football fraternity.
