Coach Gishon Ntini dies Gishon Ntini
Gishon Ntini

Gishon Ntini

Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter—
FORMER CAPS United coach Gishon “Gizha” Ntini, who passed away on Sunday night at Karanda Mission Hospital in Mount Darwin, has been described as one of the most passionate coaches to emerge in the country.He was 42.
Ntini was coaching Botswana side FC Satmos at the time of his death. Sadly, Ntini died on the same day as former right-back of the now-defunct State House Tornados, Thomas Makungwa, who passed away in Harare after a long illness.

He was 52.

Ntini’s widow Margaret Jemsta said her husband, who also coached Black Rhinos and Triangle, died on Sunday at around 11pm. He was battling prostate cancer and the doctors wanted to perform an emergency operation on him yesterday morning.

“He phoned me when schools opened and said he had been in hospital for two weeks in Botswana after he started passing urine with blood and had collapsed during a training session,” said Margaret.

“He was supposed to have an operation in Botswana, but he couldn’t have it there as he didn’t have his work permit and when it came out, they demanded some documents and referred him back home to Zimbabwe.

“He came home last Sunday and we went to Harare Central Hospital and then yesterday (Sunday) we came here (Karanda), unfortunately he passed on with the doctor saying he wanted to do an emergency operation this morning.”

Margaret said her husband was a pillar of strength in her life.

Ntini leaves behind three kids — Mary (15), Gishon Junior (9) and Blessing (5).

Mourners are gathered at 1514 Glen Norah A in Harare and his body was expected to arrive from Karanda for a memorial service before leaving last night for Mhondoro Ngezi, where the coach is expected to be buried today.

The Zimbabwe Soccer Coaches Union secretary-general Newsome Mutema yesterday led the way in pouring condolence messages to the Ntini family and described him as a confident person who always stood his ground.

“We are hurt with his sudden death. He was a very good coach and even represented the country when he coached in Botswana.

“He was one of the coaches who was eager to learn and obtained his CAF A coaching licence last year.

“He was so passionate about his job and did a lot for the development of soccer in this country. He loved his job and we will miss the level of confidence he had.

“He was a man who would stand his ground and would not be intimidated.

“I remember during some soccer coaching courses he would lighten up the moments and in 2008, when things were tough, during one of the courses he started cracking jokes and everyone forgot about the all the problems.

“We mourn with the Ntini family. It is our loss as well,” said Mutema.

Ntini began his coaching career with CAPS United Juniors at the turn of the millennium and was promoted to the first team in 2004 when he assisted Charles Mhlauri following the departure of his deputy Norman Mapeza.

He worked with Mhlauri when CAPS United won back-to-back titles in 2004 and 2005 and briefly was in charge of the team in 2005. Ntini also had stints with clubs like Shooting Stars, Black Rhinos, Chiredzi and Triangle, christening himself the Lion of Zimbabwe.

The Sports Commission paid tribute to the departed coach. “We have received with sadness the news of the passing on of one of loyal sons of football Gishoni Ntini.

“Indeed, it is sad that Gizha is no more, his contributions to football will no doubt go down in history as a great coach, especially to the Makepekepe family where he worked with Charles Mhlauri,” read the message.

The Footballers Union of Zimbabwe also sent their condolence message.

“We join the Zimbabwe football fraternity in mourning the death of former Triangle FC and CAPS United coach, Gishon Ntini,” FUZ said.

Meanwhile, Makungwa, who played for the now-defunct State House Tornados in the early 1980s, died on Sunday at his home in Budiriro after a long illness, according to his brother-in-law Godknows Chamwalila.

Makungwa played for State House Tornados under coaches Joe Quinn and Peter Nyama in the early 1980s and rubbed shoulders with the likes of John Phiri, Kuni Matambanadzo, James Takavada, Arthur Tutani, David Mwanza (late), Peter Gogoma, Dominic Musodzi, Fanuel Ariberto, Pasanduka Pakamisa (late), Allan Jalasi (late), Jefta Dube (late) and Cosmas Pritchard.

Tutani, who played with Makungwa during that era, described him as a hard working player who never put his foot wrong.

“I played with Thomas at State House Tornados and I was the team’s captain when we were in Division One before we got promoted into the Super League and there was a lot of competition for first team places in that team and he (Makungwa) was among the key players who formed the backbone of that side.

“It’s sad to hear that he is no more,” Tutani said yesterday. Makungwa, who spent some time in the UK after he hung up his boots, is survived by his daughter Zivanai. He is expected to be buried today.

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