The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE Prisons and Correctional Services outfit, Tenax FC, together with stakeholders in the game of football plunged into mourning this week following the death of their club psychologist, Jephias Mundondo, who breathed his last early Monday morning.
Mundondo, who is no stranger to local football administration after serving as a psychologist for different clubs in Mutare, including Zimbabwe National Army outfit, Buffaloes, died barely a few weeks after another iconic football personality, Godfrey Kombo also breathed his last.
Mundondo is expected to be laid to rest at his Gutu rural home in Masvingo Province today (Friday).
In eulogies that poured in local football social media circles, Manica Diamonds administrator, Owen Sango, wrote: “A true football servant he was. Mundondo was a well of free advice. It is so sad that the man has gone.My sincere condolences to the Mundondo family and the Manicaland football family.”
Veteran photo and videographer, Artwell Gumiso wrote: Mundondo was my “Mr think outside the box”, an interesting character. I remember around 2015 when he wanted us to work on his New Insight brochures, he saw me eating some guavas, and asked me to bring some to him. After a week I brought him a plastic full of guavas.
“Three or four years later, he gave me a call while he was parked along Hebert Chitepo and I went to meet him. Guess what, he gave me a plastic bag full of guavas. He told me that they were the products of the guava seeds I gave him. I was so touched and that was a life lesson that I was taught by an old-timer.
“Recently, he came with an idea that helped him in polishing my act. It was an idea of putting all Tenax FC players’ signatures on T-shirts signifying a pledge that they will be promoted again into the Castle Lager Premier League of 2024, #OurPromise T-shirts. To me, that signature promise was surely fulfilled and I respected that beyond football office laws. Go well Mr Think Tank, a gentleman of great ideas.”
Mutare football fanatic, Muvhuro Chipika, commonly and fondly referred to as Sir Monday in football circles, wrote: “One good elder you would give an ear without hesitation of being poisoned. A true mentor. Soft as wool and very effective in positive building. #The Promise tag was motivational on its own.
“Every Tanex player signed to it. The 2023 Tanex #Promise regalia is one of the best sporting items to be cherished forever. Go well mdara.”
Meanwhile, Kombo family spokesperson, Callistus Kombo said the late businessman, Kombo, succumbed to hypertension recently.
“Our father died because of blood pressure complications,” he said.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Misheck Mugadza described Kombo as an irreplaceable pillar.
“I worked with the late Godfrey Kombo for a long time. He was a successful businessman and it is sad we have lost such a pillar,” he said.
Manica Diamonds team manager, Ticharambana Zikai, said: “Kombo’s death was a big blow, not only to the football fraternity in Mutare, but to the business community as well. He used to support us at Buffaloes FC financially. He will be greatly missed.”
A known true friend of the game of football, Kombo once served as ZIFA Manicaland provincial chairman during the days he used to bankroll his own team, Bhafalo Hardware that was later renamed Mutare United.
Kombo started his journey by working as a customs officer at Forbes Border Post in Mutare which helped him to sharpen his business skills.
He embarked into business, starting with several grocery shops in Chimanimani before spreading his tentacles to Mutare.
