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Sports Reporter

RONNIE CHIHOTA, the founding president of the now defunct but colourful former Premier Soccer League side, Blackpool, has died.  Chihota died at Dandaro hospital in Harare yesterday.

The Harare businessman, whose company Harare Parts Distributors were the club’s main sponsor, was instrumental in the formation of Blackpool at the start of 1994.

Blackpool took the Premiership championship race to the wire in 1995 and were narrowly pipped in the final weekend by eventual champions Dynamos, albeit in controversial circumstances.

A colourful outfit whose band of supporters also captured the imagination, Blackpool gave a number of star players who included Stewart Murisa, Alois Bunjira, Collins Kabote, Ernest Chirambadare, George Mbwando, Joseph Dube and Dumisani Mpofu a platform to shine.

Ndochi as they were affectionately known, made history when they reached the semi-final of the 1995 CAF Cup winners Cup, which is now known as the CAF Confederation Cup.

In confirming Chihota’s death a family member and former Dynamos secretary Brian Kashangura described the ex-Blackpool boss as a pillar for both family and local football.

“We have lost a loving father-in-law and a sports person,” Kashangura said.

Renowned football administrators, Chris Sambo and Simeone Jamanda (both late) also made their names at Blackpool.

When the club folded in 2000, the late Eric Rosen took over the franchise and renamed it Motor Action but retained the famous red and black colours.

The Mighty Bulls would go on to win the 2010 Premier Soccer League championship under Joey Antipas.

Seven members were part of the original people who played a part in the formation of Blackpool after acquiring a Premiership franchise from Black Mambas.

These were Forbes Chitava, Ronnie Chihota, Joe “Pajero” Musenda, Ben Muchedzi, Joel Salifu, Ginger Chunghwa and Lecture Mpange.

Blackpool were the first club from Zimbabwe to reach the semi-finals of the Africa Club Cup Winners Cup competition in 1995.

They lost to Algerian side JS Kabylie.

They were under the tutelage of the late Joel Shambo and Shacky Tauro.

Other players who featured for this colourful outfit included Masimba Dinyero, Steven Shamuyarira, Misheck “Shava” Mapika and Vivian Nkomo.

Dinyero last night paid tribute to Chihota for changing the face of the domestic Premiership with his Blackpool outfit.

“He was humble man who hated losing yet he was also was like a father to every player who played either for Black Mambas or Blackpool. May His Dear Soul Rest in Peace. We will miss you, prominent businessman Mr Chihota,’’ Dinyero said.

“His death is a big loss to the football fraternity.  He was a dedicated person who led by example in whatever he did.

“I am sure the entire Zimbabwe knows that he is a man who introduced smartness in the teams he worked with.

“He started at Mambas as a sole sponsor until he was given the club franchise when Mambas folded in 1993.

“He then formed Blackpool, the Ndochi Boys who were also known for being smart in their black and red and were first team from this country to reach the semi-final of a CAF competition,’’ added Dinyero.